Data carrier having a machine-readable security feature, production method, and security substrate sheet

Abstract

The invention relates to a data carrier (10), in particular a value or security document, comprising: a substrate (12) which has at least one plastics layer; and a machine-readable security feature (52, 54). According to the invention, the machine-readable security feature (52, 54) comprises a machine-readable feature material which is present in an embedding layer applied to the substrate, specifically a white covering layer (30, 34), a functional layer (32, 36), a print-receiving layer and / or a varnish layer (40).

Description

[0001] Data carrier with machine-readable security feature, manufacturing process and security substrate sheet

[0002] The invention relates to a data carrier, in particular a valuable or security document, comprising a substrate with a plastic layer and a machine-readable security feature. The invention also relates to methods for producing such a data carrier, as well as to a security substrate sheet whose layer structure comprises at least one plastic layer and which contains a plurality of individual panels arranged in rows and columns, each of which has a machine-readable security feature.

[0003] Data storage media, such as valuables or identification documents, but also other valuable items, such as branded goods, are often provided with security elements for security purposes. These elements allow the authenticity of the data storage media to be verified and at the same time serve as protection against unauthorized reproduction.

[0004] For some time now, paper / polymer composite substrates or even polymer materials have been used as substrate materials for banknotes, in addition to paper. Polymer banknotes offer several advantages over paper banknotes, such as greater tear resistance. On the other hand, polymer banknotes do not yet have embedded security features such as watermarks, mottled fibers, or feature substances contained in the banknote substrate.

[0005] To protect valuable documents, they can be coated with a protective varnish. This applies to valuable documents with paper substrates as well as those with paper / polymer composite substrates or polymer substrates. Complete verification of the coating quality of such a varnish layer has not yet been possible because there is no suitable sensor technology for automated testing of thin varnish coatings. Furthermore, these coatings are often formed using a matting agent to make them visually inconspicuous and thus difficult to detect using optical methods. The presence of a desired varnish layer thickness is therefore determined, for example, by weighing security substrate sheets before and again after varnishing. The determined weight difference provides information about the total amount of varnish applied and thus about the average layer thickness of the varnish.Variations across the surface of a substrate sheet, and especially the completeness or unbroken formation of the coating layer, cannot be detected this way. Furthermore, this inspection is only carried out on a random basis.

[0006] Based on this, the invention is based on the object of improving the authenticity protection of polymer or composite banknotes while maintaining high circulation stability.

[0007] The object of the present invention is also to improve the manufacturing quality of banknotes based on paper, polymer or paper / polymer composite substrates and thereby their circulation stability.

[0008] These objects are achieved by the features of the independent claims. Further developments of the invention are the subject of the dependent claims. The invention provides a data carrier with a substrate comprising at least one plastic layer and with a machine-readable security feature. The data carrier can advantageously be a value or security document, in particular a banknote. The machine-readable security feature comprises a machine-readable feature substance which is present in an embedding layer applied to the substrate, namely an opaque white layer, a functional layer, a print acceptance layer and / or a varnish layer. The feature substance is preferably present in an opaque white layer and / or a varnish layer. In this description, a layer which contains one or more of the machine-readable feature substances is referred to as an embedding layer.

[0009] The terms plastic and polymer are used interchangeably in this description, for example when referring to a plastic layer or polymer layer or a plastic banknote or polymer banknote.

[0010] The invention advantageously provides that the machine-readable feature substance is present in an embedding layer applied in regions or over the entire surface, which forms the opaque white layer, functional layer, print acceptance layer and / or varnish layer. The machine-readable feature substance is preferably present in one or more machine-readable coding regions which are formed by partial regions of one of the said layers. An arrangement of a feature substance only in certain regions allows, in particular, coding and spatial recognition, for example, to distinguish between different denominations. The presence of the machine-readable feature substance in an embedding layer applied in regions or over the entire surface, which forms the opaque white layer, functional layer, print acceptance layer and / or varnish layer, is to be understood in particular to mean that the machine-readable feature substance is in the form of a homogeneous distribution orareal density in the respective layer.

[0011] Advantageously, the machine-readable security feature contains two or more different machine-readable feature substances in the same embedding layer. Alternatively or additionally, the machine-readable security feature can contain two or more different machine-readable feature substances present in different embedding layers applied to the same side of the substrate. An arrangement of different machine-readable feature substances in different embedding layers provides an additional security effect, since the complete security feature is not reconstructed by detaching and transferring individual layers.

[0012] According to a further development of the invention, the data carrier contains two machine-readable security features arranged on opposite sides of the substrate, in particular different machine-readable security features.

[0013] In an advantageous embodiment, the machine-readable feature substances present on the same side of the substrate together occupy the entire surface of the substrate. In a further advantageous embodiment, the machine-readable feature substances present on the same side of the substrate together occupy the entire surface of the substrate with the exception of any see-through windows. In the case of machine-readable security features arranged on different sides of the substrate, these are advantageously designed with an inverse arrangement of the machine-readable feature substances. If each of the security features contains, in particular, exactly two different machine-readable feature substances, the second feature substance is provided on the opposite back side in an area in which the first feature substance is present on the front side of the substrate.Conversely, in an area where the second feature substance is present on the front side of the substrate, the first feature substance is provided on the back side.

[0014] Preferably, the machine-readable security feature contains several different machine-readable feature substances whose embedding layers visually produce the same color impression. The different areas of the embedding layers containing feature substances then differ only in their machine-readable properties, not in their visual impression. The visually identical color impression can also consist of a visually transparent appearance.

[0015] In an advantageous development of the invention, the substrate has microperforations in an area in which at least one machine-readable feature substance is located, preferably in the form of an alphanumeric character string, a value number, a pattern, a motif or an ornament.

[0016] In a likewise advantageous development of the invention, at least one area provided with the machine-readable feature substance forms a pseudo-watermark in the data carrier, which is essentially only visually recognizable in transmitted light.

[0017] According to an advantageous embodiment, the machine-readable feature substance is covered in a partial area by an absorber material that inhibits or even completely blocks the excitation and / or machine detection of the machine-readable feature substance. In this case, in particular, the machine-readable feature substance can be present over the entire surface, and coding areas can be formed by the partial areas with or without absorber material. It is understood that a feature substance applied only in certain areas can also be combined with such absorber areas.

[0018] Transparent absorbers or UV absorbers, such as TiCb, can be used as absorber materials in the visible spectral range. These absorber materials are then invisible to standard sensors and the human eye, but the coding can be detected by feature sensors tuned to the machine-readable feature substances.

[0019] Advantageously, at least one of the machine-readable feature substances comprises coarse particles which are arranged in an inner embedding layer of the coated substrate, in particular in an opaque white layer. Alternatively or additionally, it can be provided that at least one of the machine-readable feature substances comprises fine particles which are arranged in an inner or outer embedding layer of the coated substrate, in particular in an outer coating layer. It is particularly preferably provided that one of the machine-readable feature substances comprises first, coarser particles which are arranged in an inner embedding layer of the coated substrate, and that a further one of the machine-readable feature substances comprises second, finer particles which are arranged in an inner or outer embedding layer of the coated substrate. By embedding in an inner embedding layer, coarse orCoarser particles, such as inorganic particles with desired machine-readable properties, can be used without resulting in a rough outer layer that is susceptible to abrasion. The smooth outer layer also provides a well-printable surface, with prints that are less abrasive and thus more stable in circulation.

[0020] The invention advantageously provides for the machine-readable feature substance to be present in a fully applied outer coating layer. An outer coating layer can be used on substrates made of polymer material, paper, or even paper / polymer composite substrates. It serves to ensure the durability of the resulting valuable or security document in circulation and, by protecting the substrate against contamination and abrasion, also extends the service life of the valuable or security document.

[0021] In an advantageous variant, the machine-readable security feature contains two or more different machine-readable feature substances.

[0022] The two or more different machine-readable feature substances are expediently present in several machine-readable coding areas, which are preferably directly adjacent to one another and / or arranged overlapping one another and thus cover the entire surface of the substrate. In a further advantageous variant, the two or more different machine-readable feature substances are present on different

[0023] sides of the substrate. The machine-readable feature substances can advantageously comprise IR-absorbing, IR-transparent, magnetic, electrically conductive, and / or luminescent, in particular phosphorescent or IR-luminescent, feature substances. The machine-readable feature substances are preferably inorganic pigments.

[0024] The machine-readable feature substances expediently have a Mohs hardness of more than 2, in particular more than 3. Such hard feature substances also provide protection for the embedding layer, in particular an outer coating layer of the data carrier. It is generally known that the scratch resistance of surfaces can be improved by suitable fillers. However, nanoparticles are generally used for this purpose, which have the disadvantage of being hazardous to health and are also poorly dispersible in printing inks. The machine-readable feature substances described here, in contrast, can be firmly anchored in the coating and then provide protection for the embedding layer and the underlying ink-bearing layers.

[0025] The size of the machine-readable feature substances is preferably between 3 μm and 15 μm; in particular, no feature substances in the form of nanoparticles are intended.

[0026] The machine-readable feature substances are advantageously formed by particles with dimensions that essentially correspond to the layer thickness of the respective embedding layer. By matching the layer thickness to the particle size in this way, optimal anchoring of the particles in the paint can be achieved. In contrast, particles that are larger than the layer thickness of the embedding layer are relatively poorly anchored in the paint and can be torn out. If, on the other hand, the particles are very small, such as nanoparticles, the protective effect is lower because the particles can easily be removed along with the paint. The layer thickness of the embedding layer can be matched to the dimensions of the desired or required particles. Conversely, it is also possible to select a machine-readable feature substance with particles of suitable dimensions based on a desired or required layer thickness of an embedding layer.

[0027] If, as described above, feature substances with a Mohs hardness of more than 2 are used, the embedding layer is protected from abrasion by the feature substances they contain. The feature-loaded layer then forms a protective layer for the banknote.

[0028] Should the embedding layer be damaged, thinned, or even partially torn from the banknote due to massive abrasive mechanical friction, the change or damage can be detected by the locally reduced intensity of the machine-readable feature substance. Equipping the banknote with the machine-readable feature substance not only allows for determining the thickness of the embedding layer, but also for determining whether the embedding layer has any holes or even whether it is still present. This allows the machine-readable security feature to be used for quality control in quality assurance or to test the fitness of data carriers, such as banknotes, in circulation.

[0029] When testing a banknote with the appropriate features for authenticity, a minimum signal intensity of the machine-readable security feature may be required. For example, it has proven effective to set the thresholds for fitness and authenticity sorting so that the banknote is declared unfit if only a small portion of the embedding layer, for example, 20%-30%, is missing, while setting the authenticity threshold lower, and even banknotes with 50%-70% of the embedding layer missing can still be recognized as authentic. Authenticity detection can also be performed based on remaining islands of the feature substance. With known designs, however, it is not possible to check whether a protective varnish layer is still present on the banknote in circulation.

[0030] The substrate is advantageously formed from a plastic substrate or a composite substrate with a plastic layer. Suitable plastics include, in particular, biaxially oriented polypropylene (BOPP), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polypropylene (PP), or polyamide (PA).

[0031] A layer provided with a machine-readable feature substance can also be provided with other functional substances or properties, for example with fluorescence, phosphorescence, or an up-converter material.

[0032] By coding with the machine-readable characteristic substance, for example, denominations within a currency and / or variants or batches within a denomination can be differentiated automatically.

[0033] The invention also includes a method for producing a data carrier of the aforementioned type, in which a substrate comprising at least one plastic layer is provided. The substrate is provided with a machine-readable security feature comprising a machine-readable feature substance arranged in an embedding layer applied to the substrate, namely an opaque white layer, a functional layer, a print-acceptance layer, and / or a lacquer layer.

[0034] The machine-readable feature substance(s) are preferably mixed into the printing ink for the desired layer and printed together with it. It is also possible to print a portion of a layer with a feature-free printing ink, and another portion with the same printing ink but with the addition of a machine-readable feature substance.

[0035] Finally, the invention also includes a security substrate sheet whose layer structure comprises at least one plastic layer and which contains a plurality of individual panels arranged in rows and columns, each having a machine-readable security feature. It is provided that each individual panel is provided with a machine-readable security feature with two marking areas with different machine-readable feature substances, wherein a first marking area is arranged at the same position within the individual panels, while a second marking area is arranged at a different position within the individual panels and / or has a different shape.

[0036] Advantageously, each individual panel forms a data carrier of the type described above.

[0037] In a method for quality control of a data carrier of the type described, a signal intensity of the machine-readable feature substance is recorded in a spatially resolved manner and compared with a reference value in order to detect any change and / or damage to the machine-readable security feature.

[0038] A further aspect of the invention includes a method for producing a data carrier, in particular a valuable or security document, in which a substrate is provided and provided with a machine-readable feature substance present in a coating layer with a homogeneous areal density. During the method, the substrate is coated with the coating layer, in particular over its entire surface, and the signal intensity of the machine-readable feature substance in the coating layer is detected in a spatially resolved manner and compared with a reference value in order to detect a deviation of the coating layer thickness from a predetermined coating thickness. The coating layer is preferably present as an outer coating layer.

[0039] The coating layers preferably cover the entire surface of the substrate. However, especially with polymer banknotes, coating layers are often omitted in the area of ​​existing see-through windows.

[0040] The signal intensity of the feature substance represents a measure of the actual local coating thickness. The spatially resolved measurement of the signal intensity of the feature substance ensures that the coating layer is applied at the desired (constant) thickness. In practice, the coating layer thickness can vary in both spatial uniformity and spatial completeness depending on the manufacturing process. At any location where the measured signal intensity of the feature substance exceeds a specified reference value, the invention ensures that the local coating thickness complies with quality and manufacturing specifications.

[0041] Checking the coating thickness across the entire surface ensures the consistent protective effect of the coating layer and thus improves the durability of the data storage media coated with it. Thus, the data storage media produced using the method according to the invention are characterized by consistent coating quality, which in turn ensures uniform aging behavior for all data storage media in a batch.

[0042] With the method according to the invention, the completeness and the layer thickness of the coating layer are recorded essentially without gaps by measuring the signal intensity of the feature substance.

[0043] In an advantageous embodiment of the method, the signal intensity is measured on a web or sheet of the substrate in order to adjust the coating thickness to the specified thickness. This occurs directly after the coating process. In this way, the measured coating thickness can also serve as a control variable for the ongoing manufacturing process.

[0044] In an advantageous process variant, the signal intensity for the individual value or security document is recorded quantitatively and across the entire surface of the value or security document after singulation. For example, the measurement is carried out at points on a grid that spans the entire surface. The grid can, in particular, comprise more than 10, more than 30, or even more than 100 grid points. This allows the spatially resolved measurement of the completeness and thickness of the coating layer to be carried out at the end of the production process during the inspection of the individual value document, for example, during the inspection of individual banknotes on a banknote processing machine. This enables continuous quality assurance of the coating layer for each individual banknote.

[0045] The machine-readable feature substance is advantageously a luminescent, particularly an IR-luminescent, feature substance. In this case, the detection of the signal intensity involves the quantitative detection of the luminescence of the luminescent feature substance after local excitation.

[0046] In a particularly advantageous embodiment, the substrate is provided on opposite sides with coating layers containing the same machine-readable feature substance. Alternatively, it can be provided that the substrate is provided on opposite sides with coating layers containing different machine-readable feature substances. In the latter alternative, the signal intensity or any deviations in the layer thickness of the coating layers can be recorded independently of each other for each side of the substrate. Furthermore, such a procedure provides an additional security effect, since a complete security feature cannot be reconstructed by detaching and transferring individual layers.

[0047] In an advantageous further development, the coating layer contains two or more different machine-readable feature substances which are arranged in different partial layers applied on the same side of the substrate directly adjacent to one another and / or overlapping one another, so that the partial layers cover the entire surface of the data carrier.

[0048] This aspect of the invention also includes a data carrier obtainable by a method of the type described, wherein the data carrier is designed as a valuable or security document and the substrate is formed by a paper substrate or by a composite substrate with an outer paper layer.

[0049] In a method for quality control of a paint layer, the signal intensity of a machine-readable feature substance present in the paint layer is recorded in a spatially resolved manner and compared with a reference value in order to detect a deviation of the layer thickness of the paint layer from a predetermined layer thickness, wherein in particular the luminescence of a luminescent feature substance is quantitatively detected after local excitation.

[0050] For this purpose, a suitable sensor automatically records the signal intensity of the machine-readable feature substance with spatial resolution and compares it with a reference value. Equipped with the machine-readable feature substance, this allows not only the thickness of the coating to be determined, but also whether it contains holes, for example, or even whether any holes are present at all.

[0051] In the particularly preferred case of a luminescent feature substance, the data carrier is locally illuminated with excitation radiation, and the thus excited luminescence of the feature substance present in the coating layer is detected and quantitatively measured with the sensor. The sensor is designed so that the detected signal intensity represents a measure of the layer thickness. In particular, the sensor exhibits a linear response with respect to the signal intensity. For a more detailed description of the functionality of suitable sensors and corresponding test methods, reference is made in particular to the publications WO 2004 / 051582 A2, WO 2013 / 064245 A1, and WO 2019 / 242879 A1.

[0052] 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.

[0053] They show:

[0054] Fig. 1 shows schematically a polymer banknote with a machine-readable security feature according to the invention,

[0055] Fig. 2 shows the layer structure of a banknote according to the invention schematically in cross section,

[0056] Fig. 3 in (a) and (b) a view of the front and back of a banknote according to an embodiment of the invention,

[0057] Fig. 4 to 6 in (a) and (b) each show a view of the front and back of a banknote according to further embodiments of the invention, Fig. 7 shows a banknote according to the invention with recesses in the coding areas,

[0058] Fig. 8 shows a banknote according to the invention with a microperforation area,

[0059] Fig. 9, 10 each show a banknote according to the invention with a pseudo watermark,

[0060] Fig. 11 shows a banknote sheet with a plurality of individual panels, each bearing a similar first marking and a different second marking,

[0061] Fig. 12, 13 in (a) and (b) each show a view of the front and back of a banknote according to further embodiments of the invention, in which the spatial coding is carried out by overprinting an area with an absorber material.

[0062] The invention will now be explained using banknotes as an example. Figure 1 shows a schematic representation of a polymer banknote with a machine-readable security feature according to the invention. The banknote 10 of the exemplary embodiment contains a polymer film 12 as a substrate and is equipped with several security features. Security features include, for example, two printing elements 14, 16, a pseudo-watermark 18, a first see-through window 20, and a film strip 22 with a second see-through window 24. To improve machine authentication, the banknote 10 is additionally equipped with a machine-readable security feature according to the invention, as described in more detail below. The layer structure of a banknote 10 according to the invention is shown schematically in cross section in Fig. 2.A first opaque white layer 30, a conductive functional layer 32, a second opaque white layer 34, an optically variable functional layer 36, a banknote printing layer 38 produced by offset and / or intaglio printing, and a varnish layer 40 are applied to both sides of the central polymer film 12. A film element 22 is additionally arranged on the front of the banknote.

[0063] The machine-readable security feature according to the invention is formed by a machine-readable feature substance which is present in one or more of the layers applied to the polymer film 12, specifically one or more of the opaque white layers 30, 34, the functional layers 32, 36, a print acceptance layer not shown in Fig. 2 and / or one of the lacquer layers 40.

[0064] Particularly advantageously, two machine-readable security features can be provided on either side of a central polymer film or a central composite substrate with a polymer layer. The two opposite sides of the substrate are hereinafter referred to as the front and back of the banknote. For ease of reference, the layers and areas arranged on the front and back are usually designated by the same reference symbol, but with an appended identifier V for the front and R for the back.

[0065] In the embodiment of Fig. 3, the banknote 50 contains a front-side printing layer 52 on its front side 50-V and a back-side printing layer 54 on its back side 50-R, wherein the two printing layers are each fully loaded with different machine-readable feature substances, for example different IR absorbers.

[0066] The front-side print layer 52 is formed by one of the above-mentioned layers arranged on the front side of the polymer film 12, and the back-side print layer 54 is formed by one of the layers arranged on the back side. Preferably, the print layers 52, 54 are formed by one of the opaque white layers 30, 34 or one of the lacquer layers 40. The print layers 52, 54 can have different colors when visually observed, but advantageously can also have the same color. In the latter case, the two print layers 52, 54 differ only in their machine-readable properties, not in their visual impression.

[0067] Particularly advantageously, the feature-loaded layer or layers each have a coding, as explained in more detail below with reference to the exemplary embodiments of Figures 4 to 11. In these embodiments, the machine-readable feature substance is present in machine-readable coding regions, each of which is formed by only partial regions of a layer.

[0068] For example, part of an opaque white layer 30, 34 according to Fig. 2 can be applied with a feature-containing opaque white ink, while the remainder of the surface of the opaque white layer 30, 34 is printed with a non-feature-containing opaque white ink. After the banknote printing layer 38 has been created, a full-surface varnish layer 40 is applied, wherein the varnish contains a second feature substance that advantageously differs from the first feature substance of the opaque white layer. In this way, the quantities of feature substances in the individual colors for the opaque white layer 30, 34 and the varnish layer 40 can be reduced, which brings printing advantages.The security effect is also increased by the combination of two different feature substances, since neither the coating layer with feature substance without the correct corresponding opaque white color nor the coating layer with feature substance without the correct corresponding varnish shows the signature belonging to a genuine banknote during the authenticity test.

[0069] Furthermore, the pigment size of the feature substances can be adapted to the position of the respective layer in the layer stack. For example, 30 or 34 relatively large feature pigments can be used in an inner opaque white layer, while 40 smaller feature pigments are used in an outer coating layer. The combined machine-readable security feature is then highly resistant to abrasion, but still allows the use of relatively large or coarse particles. In contrast, conventional designs in which large particles are provided in an outer layer usually result in rough layers that are therefore susceptible to color abrasion.

[0070] The coding areas with one of the machine-readable feature substances can be symmetrical or non-symmetrical. With respect to the front and back of the banknote, the coding areas can advantageously be designed to complement one another or, in another embodiment, to be mirror-symmetrical to one another.

[0071] Figure 4 shows a banknote 60 as a coded embodiment in which machine-readable feature substances are not present over the entire surface, but rather in regions in coding areas 62, 64. Coding in the banknote 60 is realized through the size, shape, and / or arrangement of these coding areas containing a feature substance. Specifically, the banknote 60 of the embodiment shown contains first coding areas 62, which are provided with a first machine-readable feature substance at a homogeneous area density, and second coding areas 64, which are provided with a second, different machine-readable feature substance at a homogeneous area density.

[0072] The first and second coding areas 62, 64 are arranged symmetrically on both the front and back of the banknote 60 with respect to a reflection about the longitudinal and transverse axes of the banknote. The coding areas 62-V, 64-V of the front and the coding areas 62-R, 64-R of the back each complement each other to form the entire surface of the banknote. Furthermore, the first coding areas 62-V of the front are congruent with the second coding areas 64-R of the back, and the second coding areas 64-V of the front are congruent with the first coding areas 62-R of the back.

[0073] Specifically, the first coding areas 62-V and 62-R can be formed, for example, by partial areas of the second opaque white layer 34-V and 34-R on the front and back of the banknote, and the second coding areas 64-V and 64-R can be formed by partial areas of the front and back lacquer layers 40-V and 40-R, respectively.

[0074] In the embodiment of Fig. 5, the banknote 70 has first coding areas 72, which are provided with a first machine-readable feature substance at a homogeneous area density, and second coding areas 74, which are provided with a second, different machine-readable feature substance at a homogeneous area density. In contrast to the embodiment of Fig. 4, however, the first and second coding areas 72, 74 are not arranged symmetrically on either the front or the back of the banknote 70. Although the coding areas 72-V, 74-V of the front and the coding areas 72-R, 74-R of the back each complement each other to form the entire surface of the banknote, the coding areas of the front are not congruent with the coding areas of the back, but rather exhibit a completely different area distribution.

[0075] Specifically, the first coding areas 72-V and 72-R in the exemplary embodiment are formed, for example, by partial areas of the optically variable functional layer 36-V and 36-R on the front and back of the banknote, respectively, and the second coding areas 74-V and 74-R are formed by partial areas of the front and back lacquer layers 40-V, 40-R, respectively.

[0076] Figure 6 shows a further exemplary embodiment of the invention, in which the banknote 80 has first coding areas 82, which are provided with a first machine-readable feature substance at a homogeneous areal density, and second coding areas 84, which are provided with a second, different machine-readable feature substance at a homogeneous areal density, and which are arranged in the areas of the folds relative to the longitudinal and / or transverse axis. Since banknotes are often folded lengthwise or crosswise when placed in a wallet, folds are created parallel to the edges of the banknotes, which are subject to greater mechanical stress.The second coding regions 84, which contain such folds, are therefore advantageously designed such that the feature substance in these regions is well protected against abrasion, for example by using fine particles there and / or by introducing the feature substance particles only into an inner embedding layer.

[0077] The first and second coding areas 82, 84 are arranged symmetrically on both the front and back of the banknote 80, and the coding areas 82-V, 84-V of the front and the coding areas 82-R, 84-R of the back each complement each other to form the entire surface of the banknote. However, the coding areas on the front are only partially congruent with the coding areas on the back.

[0078] In the layer structure, the first coding areas 82-V and 82-R in the embodiment of Fig. 6 are formed by partial areas of the first opaque white layer 30-V and 30-R on the front and back of the banknote, respectively, and the second coding areas 84-V and 84-R are formed by partial areas of the second opaque white layer 34-V and 34-R, respectively.

[0079] The design of Fig. 7 illustrates that a banknote 90 can also contain one or more cutouts, so that the coding areas do not add up to the entire surface of the banknote. The banknote 90, of which only the front is shown in the figure, contains first coding areas 92 with a first feature substance and second coding areas 94 with a second, different feature substance. In this case, a cutout 96 can be provided in the first coding area 92, a cutout 98 in the second coding area 92 and / or a cutout 95 that overlaps both the first and the second coding area. The coding areas 92, 94 can be present in the same or in different layers. It is understood that the banknote 90 can also be provided on its back with an identical or different machine-readable security feature, as already explained above.

[0080] Figure 8 shows an embodiment of a banknote 100 that, in addition to first coding areas 102 with a first machine-readable feature substance and second coding areas 104 with a second, different machine-readable feature substance, also has a microperforation area 106 arranged in one of the first coding areas 102. The microperforation can form, particularly when viewed through, a piece of information, for example, text, a value number, such as the value number "20" shown in Fig. 8, a pattern, a motif, or an ornament. This information is easily machine-readable from both sides due to the continuous perforation. It is understood that the microperforation area can also be arranged in one of the second coding areas 104 or both coding areas 102, 104 can overlap.

[0081] In further embodiments, information, text characters or motifs are printed with a translucent ink containing a feature substance under or within the opaque white layers, so that although they cannot be seen when viewed from above, they appear as darker areas when viewed through.

[0082] Figure 9 shows, as an exemplary embodiment, a banknote 110 in which a multi-level portrait 112 and a two-level value number 114 are printed with a machine-readable feature substance in the conductive functional layer 32 beneath the opaque white layer 34. As with a classic paper watermark, the portrait 112 and the value number 114 are essentially only recognizable when viewed through and therefore form a pseudo-watermark in the polymer banknote 110. The design of Figure 10 illustrates that a pseudo-watermark can be formed in both a positive and a negative, i.e., recessed, representation. Specifically, in the banknote 120, a first value number 122 is printed with a machine-readable feature substance in a positive representation, while a second value number in a negative representation is formed by a recess 124 in a print area 126 containing the feature substance.

[0083] Both colors can also be integrated with the same characteristics (signal enhancement and variation in intensity due to the darker areas) or with different characteristics (specific testing of the translucent color). For this purpose, a first color can be formed as a full-surface layer, for example as an opaque white layer, and a second color as a translucent but not transparent color, which is printed in a patterned manner under or between the opaque white layers to create the pseudo-watermark. In a first embodiment, the full-surface layer and the patterned layer are both provided with a feature substance so that the pseudo-watermark can be detected as a region with higher feature intensity. In a second embodiment, the full-surface layer and the patterned layer carry different feature substances so that a specific testing of the translucent color can be carried out.

[0084] Figure 11 illustrates the use of the described security features to secure a banknote sheet 130 with a plurality of individual panels 132 arranged in columns 134 and rows 136. A first marking 138 with a first machine-readable feature substance is applied to the sheet 130 and is located at the same position in each individual panel 132. In addition, further markings 140, 142, 144, 146, 148 with a second, different feature substance are applied to the sheet 130 and are placed at a different location in each panel or have a different shape in each panel. The further markings can, for example, be slanted (markings 140, 142), curved or wavy (markings 144, 146), or even change their shape (markings 148). The markings can also form a two-dimensional barcode.

[0085] This improves machine detection of counterfeits, especially so-called composite or snippet counterfeits. In these types of counterfeiting, different sections are cut out from several genuine banknotes and combined to create a counterfeit banknote. However, when producing banknotes from a banknote sheet as shown in Fig. 12, the probability that a counterfeiter would find several genuine banknotes with the same marking pattern and then combine them to create a correctly assembled composite counterfeit is very low due to the variable additional marking.

[0086] Returning to the basic design of machine-readable security features, spatial coding can be created not only by printing feature-containing ink in certain areas, but also by overprinting a full-surface feature-containing coating with a suitable absorber material.

[0087] The basic geometric arrangement of the coding areas can correspond to the arrangements in Figures 4 to 10. Figures 12 and 13 show exemplary designs in which the spatial arrangement of the coding areas corresponds to Figures 4 and 5, respectively. In the exemplary embodiment in Figure 12, the banknote 150 contains, on the front side 150-V, a layer 152-V fully coated with a machine-readable feature substance. In the partial areas 154-V, the feature-containing layer 152-V is overprinted with an absorber that blocks the excitation and / or detection of the machine-readable properties. For example, the machine-readable feature substance can be a luminescent substance that can be excited by UV radiation, and the absorber can be a UV absorber.

[0088] Overprinting with the absorber creates coding areas 156-V, in which the machine-readable feature substance of layer 152-V can be detected, and zero areas 158-V, in which the machine-readable feature substance of layer 152-V cannot be detected. The zero areas 158-V are formed by the overprinted sub-areas 154-V, and the coding areas 156-V are formed by the non-overprinted sub-areas of layer 152-V.

[0089] Similarly, the banknote 150 contains on the reverse side 150-R a layer 152-R fully loaded with a machine-readable feature substance, which is overprinted in partial areas 154-R with an absorber that blocks the excitation and / or detection of the machine-readable properties to form coding areas 156-R and zero areas 158-R.

[0090] Banknote 160 of Fig. 13 is constructed similarly to banknote 150 of Fig. 13 and also contains layers 162-V and 162-R loaded with a machine-readable feature substance over their entire surface. However, the partial regions 164-V and 164-R with the absorber material are not arranged symmetrically on either the front or back of banknote 160, so that the generated coding regions 166-V, 166-R and zero regions 168-V, 168-R are also not symmetrically formed. List of Reference Symbols

[0091] 10 banknotes

[0092] 12 polymer film

[0093] 14, 16 printing elements

[0094] 18 watermarks

[0095] 20 viewing windows

[0096] 22 foil strips

[0097] 24 viewing windows

[0098] 30 first opaque white layer

[0099] 32 conductive functional layer

[0100] 34 second opaque white layer

[0101] 36 optically variable functional layers

[0102] 38 Banknote printing layer

[0103] 40 coats of paint

[0104] 50 banknotes

[0105] 52 front printing layer

[0106] 54 back printing layer

[0107] 60 banknotes

[0108] 62, 64 coding areas

[0109] 70 banknotes

[0110] 72, 74 coding areas

[0111] 80 banknotes

[0112] 82, 84 coding areas

[0113] 90 banknotes

[0114] 92, 94 coding areas

[0115] 95, 96, 98 recesses

[0116] 100 banknotes

[0117] 102, 104 Coding areas 106 Microperforation area

[0118] 110 banknotes

[0119] 112 Portrait

[0120] 114 Value number

[0121] 120 banknotes

[0122] 122 Value number in positive representation

[0123] 124 value number as recess

[0124] 126 print area containing features

[0125] 130 banknote sheets

[0126] 132 individual benefits

[0127] 134, 136 columns, rows

[0128] 138 first marking with first characteristic substance

[0129] 140, 142, 144, 146, 148 Markings with second characteristic substance

[0130] 150 banknotes

[0131] 152 fully loaded layer

[0132] 154 absorber overprinted area

[0133] 156 coding areas

[0134] 158 zero ranges

[0135] 160 banknotes

[0136] 162 fully loaded layer

[0137] 164 absorber overprinted area

[0138] 166 coding areas

[0139] 168 Zero ranges nn-V Structure nn on front nn-R Structure nn on back

Claims

Patent claims 1. Data carrier (10), in particular a value or security document, with a substrate (12) which comprises at least one plastic layer, and with a machine-readable security feature (52, 54), characterized in that the machine-readable security feature (52, 54) comprises a machine-readable feature substance which is present in an embedding layer applied to the substrate (12), namely an opaque white layer (30, 34), a functional layer (32, 36), a print acceptance layer and / or a varnish layer (40).

2. Data carrier (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that the machine-readable feature substance is present in an embedding layer applied in regions or over the entire surface, which forms the opaque white layer (30, 34), functional layer (32, 36), print acceptance layer and / or lacquer layer (40).

3. Data carrier (10) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the machine-readable feature substance is present in one or more machine-readable coding areas (62, 64), which are each formed by partial areas of one of the said layers.

4. Data carrier (10) according to at least one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the machine-readable security feature contains two or more different machine-readable feature substances in the same layer and / or that the machine-readable security feature contains two or more different machine-readable feature substances which are present in different layers applied on the same side of the substrate.

5. Data carrier (10) according to at least one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the data carrier contains two machine-readable security features (52, 54), in particular different machine-readable security features, arranged on opposite sides of the substrate.

6. Data carrier (10) according to at least one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that several different machine-readable feature substances are used, the embedding layers of which visually produce the same color impression.

7. Data carrier (10) according to at least one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the substrate has microperforations (106), preferably in the form of an alphanumeric character string, a value number, a pattern, a motif or an ornament, in a region in which at least one machine-readable feature substance is located.

8. Data carrier (10) according to at least one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that at least one area provided with the machine-readable feature substance forms a pseudo-watermark (112; 114) in the data carrier, which is essentially only visually recognizable in transmitted light.

9. Data carrier (10) according to at least one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the machine-readable feature substance is covered in a partial area (154) by an absorber material which inhibits or even completely blocks the excitation and / or machine detection of the machine-readable feature substance.

10. Data carrier (10) according to at least one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the machine-readable feature substance comprises coarse particles which are arranged in an inner embedding layer of the coated substrate, in particular in an opaque white layer (30, 34) and / or that the machine-readable feature substance comprises fine particles which are arranged in an outer layer of the coated substrate, in particular in an outer lacquer layer (40).

11. Data carrier (10) according to at least one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the machine-readable feature substances comprise IR-absorbing and / or luminescent, in particular phosphorescent or IR-luminescent feature substances, wherein the machine-readable feature substances are preferably present as inorganic pigments.

12. Data carrier (10) according to at least one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that the machine-readable feature substances are formed by particles with a dimension that essentially corresponds to the layer thickness of the respective embedding layer.

13. Data carrier (10) according to at least one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that the substrate (12) is formed by a polymer substrate or by a composite substrate with a plastic layer.

14. A method for producing a data carrier (10) according to one of claims 1 to 13, wherein a substrate (12) comprising at least one plastic layer is provided and is provided with a machine-readable security feature (52, 54) which has a machine-readable Feature substance which is arranged in an embedding layer applied to the substrate (12), namely a white opaque layer (30, 34), a functional layer (32, 36), a print acceptance layer and / or a coating layer (40).

15. Method for producing a data carrier (10), in particular a value or security document, in which a substrate is provided and is provided with a machine-readable feature substance which is present in a coating layer (40) with a homogeneous surface density, wherein in the method the substrate is coated with the coating layer, in particular over its entire surface, and the signal intensity of the machine-readable feature substance in the coating layer is recorded in a spatially resolved manner and compared with a reference value in order to detect a deviation of the layer thickness of the coating layer from a predetermined layer thickness.

16. The method according to claim 15, characterized in that the signal intensity is detected on a web or on a sheet of the substrate in order to adjust the layer thickness of the coating layer to the predetermined layer thickness.

17. Method according to claim 15, characterized in that the data carrier is designed as a value or security document and the detection of the signal intensity for the individual value or security document after singulation is carried out quantitatively and over the entire surface of the value or security document.

18. Method according to at least one of claims 15 to 17, characterized in that the machine-readable feature substance is a luminescent, in particular an IR-luminescent feature substance and the detection of the signal intensity comprises the quantitative detection of the luminescence of the luminescent feature substance after local excitation.

19. Method according to at least one of claims 15 to 18, characterized in that the substrate is provided on opposite sides with coating layers which contain the same machine-readable feature substance, or in that the substrate is provided on opposite sides with coating layers which contain different machine-readable feature substances.

20. Method according to at least one of claims 15 to 19, characterized in that the coating layer contains two or more different machine-readable feature substances which are arranged in different partial layers applied on the same side of the substrate directly adjacent to one another and / or overlapping one another, so that the partial layers cover the entire surface of the data carrier.

21. Data carrier (10) obtainable according to at least one of claims 15 to 20, characterized in that the data carrier is designed as a valuable or security document.

22. Security substrate sheet (130), the layer structure of which comprises at least one plastic layer, and which contains a plurality of individual panels (132) arranged in rows (136) and columns (134), each panel having a machine-readable security feature, characterized in that each individual panel (132) is provided with a machine-readable security feature with two marking areas (138, 140-148) with different machine-readable feature substances, wherein a first marking area (138) is arranged at the same position within the individual panels (132), while a second marking area (140-148) is arranged at a different position within the individual panels (132) and / or has a different shape.

23. Security substrate sheet (130) according to claim 22, characterized in that each individual panel (132) forms a data carrier according to one of claims 1 to 13.

24. A method for quality control of a data carrier according to one of claims 1 to 13, in which a signal intensity of the machine-readable feature substance is detected in a spatially resolved manner and compared with a reference value in order to detect a change and / or damage to the machine-readable security feature.

25. Method for quality control of a coating layer on a data carrier, in which the signal intensity of a machine-readable feature substance present in the coating layer is recorded in a spatially resolved manner and compared with a reference value in order to detect a deviation of the layer thickness of the coating layer from a predetermined layer thickness, wherein in particular the luminescence of a luminescent feature substance is quantitatively detected after local excitation.

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