ES2274448T3 - SECURITY ELEMENT AND VERIFICATION PROCEDURE FOR A VALUE DOCUMENT. - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a security element for a value document, such as a banknote, a passport, an identity card or similar, comprising a low-coercive magnetic region (24) for forming a magnetic code. According to the invention, said element also comprises a high-coercive magnetic region (22) that at least partially overlaps the low-coercive magnetic region (24) and magnetises the latter (24) when in the magnetised state.

Description

Security element and procedure Verification for a value document.

The present invention relates to an element security for a value document, such as a ticket bank, passport, identity document or similar, with a weakly coercive magnetic zone for code formation magnetic. The invention also relates to a document of value with a security element of this class, to a procedure to the manufacture of a security element of this class and a procedure for the verification of a valued value document of a security element of this class.

On banknotes or other documents of value, such as stocks, checks, travelers checks, credit cards credit or checks, or other papers exposed to fakes, such as passports and other credit cards identity, an element of security to increase security against fakes. He security element can be, for example, a thread of security inserted in a banknote, a security tape applied or a self-supporting element, such as an element transferable, a patch or a tag, which after its Manufacturing is strongly linked to the object to be protected.

For a further increase in security against fakes, it is also known to provide security features of a magnetic material. For example, for the document DE-OS 1696 245 is known a device security in the form of a thread or a tape, provided with a discontinuous ferromagnetic coating. By scanning of the thread or tape in a control device can verify the authenticity of a document equipped with the device of security.

A security document with an element Built-in magnetic safety is known by the DE document 4101301. The security element has a coating magnetic with light gray soft magnetic pigments up to silver which, added to a varnish, are applied by means of same on a support material. After its incorporation in a security document, the security element is almost not perceived with incident light.

For a further increase in security against imitations, by document EP 748 896 A1 it is proposed to provide a security document of a magnetic material whose coercivity It is between 10 and 250 Oe (800 A / m at 20 kA / m) for the automatic verification of authenticity. While the material retention corresponds to magnetic materials commonly used and can thus be measured with sensors standard, the weak coercivity of the magnetic material is only detectable by special sensors. This way you get an additional security effect that significantly hinders the Resetting the magnetic security element.

Document DE 40 22 739 A1 discloses a verification device for documents with properties magnetic, by which they can still be detected with great Reliability magnetic particles of reduced remanence.

However, the security elements currently used are not smart, so it remains forever set a magnetic property adjusted or incorporated. Then, only the presence or absence of magnetic properties In order to insert information, increasingly integrate microchips in all kinds of valuable documents However, the equipment with microchips of valuable documents is related to not a few complications of Production and additional costs. Also, not all documents of value are equally appropriate for the application of microchips

Starting from this, the invention has the objective of creating a security element that avoids disadvantages  according to the current state of the art. In particular, the element of security must be activated by connecting and disconnecting or You must be able to insert information in an activatable way and deactivatable and, at the same time, manufactured in a simple way and economic.

This objective is achieved by the element security with the characteristics of the claim principal. A value document with a security element of this class, a manufacturing procedure for an element of security of this class and a procedure for the verification of a value document with a security element of this Class are subject to the dependent claims. Improvements of the invention are subject to the subclaims

According to the invention, in a security element of the type mentioned at the beginning a magnetic zone has been arranged strongly coercive that at least partly overlaps the area weakly coercive magnetic and magnetized magnetized state the weakly coercive magnetic zone, preferably carrying it to saturation. This measure can be activated and simply deactivate the magnetism in the magnetic zone weakly coercive of the security element.

When the magnetic zone, strongly coercive, demagnetized, can be inserted in the known way itself a magnetic code by magnetizing the area weakly coercive magnetic or partial zones thereof. TO then the magnetization of the magnetic zone weakly coercive can be checked with the help of a sensor system conventional, for example, in a banknote processing machine  Bank.

When the magnetic zone is magnetized strongly coercive, its magnetic field magnetizes the area weakly coercive magnetic and even leads to saturation. An external magnetic field of magnitude of field strength coercive of the weakly coercive magnetic zone can no longer magnetize it, so the magnetic code is disabled. For the activation of the magnetic code it is demagnetized again the strongly coercive magnetic zone overlapping. TO then the weakly coercive magnetic zone can detected again by the usual sensor system.

According to an embodiment preference of the security element, according to the invention, the area weakly coercive magnetic contains a number of zones partial magnetizable separately. These partial zones together they advantageously form a magnetic code. An amount any complex magnetic codes can be generated because the partial zones have a special geometry and / or arrangement  spatial and / or coercivity and / or remanence. In this way, the Magnetic properties of coercivity and remanence can controlled by type, quantity or layer thickness of the magnetic material in the individual partial zones. Without However, the simplest is to structure the magnetic bit code individual magnetic that are formed by the presence or absence of magnetization in a partial zone of the zone weakly coercive magnetic.

The strongly coercive magnetic zone can be configured continuously or understand, for its part, a series of separate partial zones from which each flap less in part one or more of the weakly partial zones coercive In particular, in each case a partially strong zone coercive may be assigned to a weakly partial zone coercive and overlap it. In this way, by magnetizing  from one of the strongly coercive partial zones you can selectively deactivate an information, for example, a bit magnetic, stored in the weakly coercive magnetic zone assigned.

In a preferred embodiment, the zone strongly coercive magnetic completely overlaps the area weakly coercive magnetic. However, it is also inside of the margin of the invention when the magnetic zone strongly coercive is configured somewhat smaller than the magnetic zone weakly coercive, while guaranteed that a magnetization of the strongly coercive magnetic zone magnetizes or saturates the weakly coercive magnetic zone.

The weakly coercive magnetic zone presents appropriately a coercive field intensity between 10 and 500 Oe (800 A / m at 40 kA / m) approximately, preferably between 150 and 350 Oe (12 kA / m at 28 kA / m) approximately. Advantageously, the weakly coercive magnetic zone is configured within a layer of oxide-containing material iron, pure iron, nickel or other sweet magnetic material. Preferably, the thickness of the material layer is between 0.05 um and approximately 20.

The strongly coercive magnetic zone it presents an intensity of coercive field above 300 Oe (24 kA / m) approximately, preferably above 1000 Oe (80 kA / m) approximately and especially preferably above 2000 Oe (160 kA / m) approximately. Industrially they are easily available layers with an intensity of coercive field up to 4000 Oe (320 kA / m) approximately, being such high Absolutely advantageous field strengths for increasing the security against deletion or accidental remagnetizations. With special materials, although more expensive, are achieved coercive field intensities of more than 35,000 Oe (2.8 MA / m). Such special materials can also be used with advantage. for the strongly coercive magnetic zone. The thickness of the layer of strongly coercive material is found preferably between about 0.05 µm and 20 µm approximately. The strongly coercive material contains preferably an iron / cobalt / nickel alloy or iron / cobalt / vanadium or platinum / cobalt or aluminum / nickel / cobalt or iron / cobalt / chromium or samarium / cobalt or samarium / copper or samarium / iron or samarium / zirconium or neodymium / iron or Neodymium / Boron.

According to an embodiment preferably, the weakly coercive magnetic zone and the zone strongly coercive magnetic are arranged, one on the another, in a shared support. With that, so much can be arranged on the strongly coercive magnetic zone on the weakly coercive magnetic zone as well as the magnetic zone strongly coercive can be arranged on the magnetic zone weakly coercive.

Alternatively, the weakly magnetic zone coercive and strongly coercive area may be arranged on opposite sides of a shared media. In it is only essential that the distance between both magnetic zones is what small enough to preserve the saturating action of the strongly coercive magnetic zone.

It may be provided, in addition to the areas magnetic, another strongly coercive magnetic zone that serves for storing a switching state of the element of security. Said switching state can be read and evaluated, for example, by a magnetic sensor. For the protection of a object, in cases where a magnetic code is not necessary complicated, just this magnetic zone is also enough strongly coercive.

In accordance with an advantageous improvement of the security element, according to the invention, has been arranged, at less in partial areas, an opaque coating layer that conceals, especially the light, the position and disposition of the weakly coercive magnetic zone.

The coating layer may be formed, for example, by an opaque or colored black printer ink, or comprise a layer of aluminum, gold, copper, iron, nickel or a alloy of said metals. The coating layer may have, additionally, holes in the form of signs or motifs that make up a readable information visually and / or mechanically. The layer of coating is applied, for example, on the top of the magnetic layers, or above or below the magnetic layers is arranged a layer of own coating.

The security element preferably forms a security thread, a security tape or an item transferable. The transferable element is arranged, in particular, on a transfer sheet and is only detached from the same when applied to a value document.

In the manufacture of a security element described, the weakly coercive zone and the zone strongly coercive, for example, are preferably printed or metallized on a shared substrate or on a security paper.

The invention also includes a paper of security and a value document, such as a banknote, a passport, an identity document or similar, provided with a security element of the type described. In particular, the element security can be contained on a support in the role of Security or value document. Alternatively, the magnetic zone weakly coercive and the strongly coercive zone of the element security can be arranged directly on the paper of Security or value document. In this case, they enter consideration both a provision on the same side of the role of security or value document, as an expensive arrangement opposite.

In the security paper or value document may have arranged, in addition to the magnetic zones mentioned, another strongly coercive magnetic zone for the storage of a switching status of the security paper or document of value that, for example, can be read and evaluated by means of a magnetic sensor.

For verification and, where appropriate, the marking of a security paper or value document described above according to the invention

to)

They are magnetized the weakly coercive magnetic zone of the element of security or parts thereof,

b)

is magnetized the strongly coercive magnetic zone of the element of security, in the event that the value document has to be provided of a dial,

C)

be determines the remaining magnetization of the weakly magnetic zone coercive or partial areas thereof, and

d)

be check on the basis of the remaining magnetization determined if The value document is endowed with a marking or not.

Preferably, in step a) the magnetic zone weakly coercive is magnetized in a field that is at least twice its coercive force.

With this, in a variant of the procedure, the strongly coercive magnetic zone is magnetized in step b) of perpendicular to a predetermined magnetization direction of the weakly coercive magnetic zone. Then the field of strongly coercive magnetic zone magnetizes the partial zones of the weakly coercive magnetic zone or saturates them, of so it is no longer possible for a magnetic code to be detected by a detector device, such as, for example, a sensor banknotes

Alternatively, in step b) the zone strongly coercive magnetic can be magnetized in shape parallel to a predetermined magnetization direction of the zone weakly coercive magnetic. Also in this case, the field of the strongly coercive magnetic zone magnetizes the zones partial of the weakly coercive magnetic zone or the saturates In this case, due to the parallel alignment of both magnetizations, a sensor designed for magnetic zones weakly coercive always reacts in this case, so that an encoded information overlaps the magnetic zone strongly coercive magnetized and can no longer be detected. From this way, in both variants mentioned the magnetic code of the weakly coercive magnetic zones are found disabled.

To activate the magnetic code again, after marking the value document, it is demagnetized properly the strongly coercive magnetic zone. TO then in the detection the magnetic code can be magnetized again in the desired direction in the zones weakly coercive magnetic elements of the security element and be detected. Therefore, the weakly magnetic code coercive can be activated again through the demagnetization of the strongly coercive zone.

In a particularly preferred configuration, the value paper contains, stretched along, an element of safety with a longitudinal axis. The weakly magnetic zones coercive are then magnetized in one direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis.

If according to step c) one fails subsequent read attempt and cannot, therefore, be read Successfully set the magnetic code, the presence of a dial or a fake.

In the event that a dialing of the value document, according to a preferred procedure variant the functional aptitude of the value document For example, an evaluation system can be regulated in such a way that a banknote is now in Forward only suitable for automatic machines. Alternatively, it may be regulated so that the marked banknotes are completely suitable for machines automatic, but that the evaluation system recognizes the ticket Bank as marked and issues a corresponding notice.

Other embodiments, as well as advantages of the invention, are explained below based on the figures. For greater clarity it is dispensed with in the figures of a representation in scale and proportionate, which show:

Figure 1, a schematic representation of a banknote with built-in security thread and item of transfer attached, in each case according to an example of embodiment of the invention,

Figure 2, a layer structure of the thread of security of figure 1, in section,

Figure 3, a view from above on the safety wire of figure 2, with weakly magnetic zones coercive as a magnetic code,

Figure 4, a top view on the security wire of figure 2, with the magnetic code deactivated in a first marked state,

Figure 5, a top view on the security wire of figure 2 with magnetic code deactivated, in a second marked state, and

Figures 6 to 8, the layer structure of security threads, according to other embodiments of the invention, in section.

Figure 1 shows a representation schematic of a banknote (10) with a security thread (12) incorporated and a transfer element (14) attached. Such as indicated by the dashed edge, the safety thread (12) is fully incorporated into the banknote (10). He transfer element (14) is glued by means of a glue thermoplastic to the surface of the banknote (10). The security elements (12), (14) may contain, in addition to the magnetic structure described below, other features security, such as a negative text, a hologram or other optical effect structures known per se and which, for that reason, are not explained here in detail.

The following explains in detail the structure and configuration of a security element, according to the invention, based on the security thread (12). The element of transfer (14) and other embodiments of elements of security according to the invention may be configured of analogous form

Figure 2 shows schematically in section the layer structure of the security thread (12) of Figure 1. The security thread (12) has a plastic sheet (20) transparent that serves as a substrate for magnetic layers. A layer is applied under pressure to said plastic sheet (20) strongly coercive magnetic (22) continues with an intensity of coercive field greater 2000 Oe. On the magnetic layer strongly coercive (22) a series of zones is applied under pressure weakly coercive magnetic, in this case magnetic bits individual (24), which form a magnetic code. For greater clarity are illustrated in figure 2 only three of the bits magnetic (24). The material and manufacturing process of weakly coercive magnetic zones are in such a way adapted to each other in the embodiment example that the layer weakly coercive magnetic has a field strength coercive of approximately 250 Oe.

The use of the security thread in Figure 2 for the verification of a banknote is now described with greater detail, based on figures 3 to 5, which show each view from the top of the security thread of figure 2 in states of different magnetization.

First, the security thread (12) with the active banknote (10) is shown in figure 3. In this state, the strongly coercive magnetic layer (22) is demagnetized and, thus, does not influence the weakly coercive magnetic bits (24). The magnetic bits (24) are magnetized in the known manner perpendicular to the longitudinal axis (26) of the security thread (12), to insert a magnetic code into the security thread. In the exemplary embodiment of Figure 3, the three magnetic bits (24) shown represent the binary number "101" that is generated by the sequence of magnetizations M 0 (magnetized - demagnetized - magnetized). Said magnetic code can be read and processed.
Sado by a conventional banknote sensor.

For marking the banknote (10), by example, for magnetic marking of rescue money, it magnetizes the strongly coercive magnetic layer (22) by means of a strong external magnetic field. The magnetic layer field strongly coercive (22) magnetizes the magnetic bits (24) arranged above or saturates them, so that the banknote sensor can no longer detect the magnetic code previously inserted

Figure 4 shows the first marked state of the banknote (10), in which the magnetic layer strongly Coercive (22) is magnetized parallel to the axis longitudinal (26) of the safety tape, as shown using the thick arrows M_ {1}. In that state, the bits Magnetic (24) are similarly magnetized along the longitudinal axis (26) until its magnetic saturation. By consequently, the remaining magnetization M_ {1} of the layer strongly coercive magnetic retains saturation stable magnetic of the magnetic bits (24). In said marked state, a external magnetic field of the magnitude of field strength coercive of the magnetic bits (24) cannot modify the magnetization of them. The magnetic bits (24), so Both are deactivated and the banknote is inactive.

A second marked state of the banknote (10) is illustrated in Figure 5. In it, the magnetic layer strongly coercive (22) is perpendicularly magnetized to the longitudinal axis (26) of the safety tape (12). The M2 magnetization of the strongly coercive magnetic layer (22), also in this case, causes bit saturation magnetic (24). In said reading process a magnetic sensor It will react over the entire length of the safety tape (12). Therefore, it can no longer be extracted from the magnetic bits (24) magnetized an inserted information, so the ticket Bank is, as in the first state marked, inactive.

The type of dialing and, consequently, the switching status of the banknote, can be encoded additionally on the banknote through another zone strongly coercive magnetic (16) (figure 1). In the magnetization of the strongly coercive magnetic layer (22) is also magnetizes the magnetic zone (16), so that its magnetization direction corresponds to that of the magnetic layer (22). In this example of realization it can be consulted in the area magnetic (16) by means of a magnetic sensor the state of banknote switching (unmarked, first or second marked state). With this, it is also possible to verify only one magnetization direction. The magnetic direction perpendicular to it and the demagnetized state then represent a state Shared switching It is also possible to provide the document only from the strongly coercive magnetic zone (16).

Figures 6 to 8 show in section the layered structure of security threads, according to others Examples of embodiment of the invention. In the embodiment of Figure 6, each weakly coercive magnetic bit (34) has assigned a strongly coercive magnetic zone (32) of its own. From in this way, the magnetic bits (34) can be activated or deactivated individually by zone magnetization magnetic (32) assigned. Therefore they can be formed multiple groups of magnetic bits on or off in solidarity through a strongly magnetic zone coercive

Figure 7 shows a security thread as in Figure 2, in which the substrate (40) is changed in the sequence of strongly coercive magnetic layers and weakly coercive (42), (44).

According to figure 8 the magnetic layers strongly coercive and weakly coercive (52), (54) can be arranged on opposite faces of the shared substrate (50). In said case, the coercive field intensities of the layers magnetic (52), (54) and the thickness of the substrate layer (50) they should only be set in solidarity so that a magnetization of the strongly coercive magnetic layer (52) force the magnetic bits (54) to saturation. In that case, the substrate (50) can also be formed by value paper same, for example, by the banknote (10).

It is also conceivable to laminate appropriately together two substrates, the magnetic zone being arranged weakly coercive and strongly coercive magnetic zone each in a substrate.

Claims (32)

1. Security element for a value document, such as a banknote, a passport, an identity document or the like, with a weakly coercive magnetic zone (24; 34; 44; 54), characterized in that a strongly coercive magnetic zone (22; 32; 42; 52) that at least partly overlaps the weakly coercive magnetic zone (24; 34; 44; 54) and, in a magnetized state, magnetizes the weakly coercive magnetic zone (24; 34; 44; 54). 2. Security element according to claim 1, characterized in that the weakly coercive magnetic zone contains a series of partially magnetizable zones (24; 34; 44; 54). 3. Security element according to claim 2, characterized in that the partially magnetizable partial zones (24; 34; 44; 54) form individual bits for inserting a magnetic code.
tico. Security element according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that the strongly coercive magnetic zone comprises a series of separate partial zones (32), each one at least partly overlapping one or more of the weakly coercive partial zones (34) . 5. Security element according to at least one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the strongly coercive magnetic zone (22; 32; 42; 52) completely overlaps the weakly coercive magnetic zone (24; 34; 44; 54 ). 6. Safety element according to at least one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the weakly coercive magnetic zone (24; 34; 44; 54) has a coercive field strength between 10 and 500 Oe (800 A / at 40 kA / m) approximately, preferably between 150 and 350 Oe (12 kA / m at 28 kA / m) approximately. 7. Security element according to at least one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the weakly coercive magnetic zone (24; 34; 44; 54) is formed of a layer of material containing iron oxides, pure iron , nickel or other sweet magnetic material. 8. Security element according to at least one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the weakly coercive magnetic zone (24; 34; 44; 54) is formed of a layer of material with a thickness of 0.05 \ mum at about 20 µm. 9. Safety element according to at least one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the strongly coercive magnetic zone (22; 32; 42; 52) has a coercive field strength above 300 Oe (24 kA / m) approximately, preferably above 1000 Oe (80 kA / m) approximately, especially preferably above 2000 Oe (160 kA / m) approximately. 10. Security element according to at least one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the strongly coercive magnetic zone (22; 32; 42; 52) is formed in a layer of material containing an iron / cobalt alloy /
nickel or iron / cobalt / vanadium or platinum / cobalt or aluminum / nickel / cobalt or iron / cobalt / chromium or samarium / cobalt or samarium / copper or samarium / iron or samarium / zirconium or neodymium / iron or neodymium / boron or other material hard magnetic 11. Safety element according to at least one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the strongly coercive magnetic zone (22; 32; 42; 52) is formed in a layer of material with a thickness of 0.05 \ mum at about 20 µm. 12. Safety element according to at least one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that the weakly coercive magnetic zone (24; 34; 44) and the strongly coercive magnetic zone (22; 32; 42) are arranged on a support (20; 30; 40) shared. 13. Security element according to at least one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that the weakly coercive magnetic zone (54) and the strongly coercive magnetic zone (52) are arranged on opposite sides of a shared support (50) . 14. Security element according to one of claims 12 or 13, characterized in that the weakly coercive magnetic zone (24; 34; 44; 54) and the strongly coercive magnetic zone (22; 32; 42; 52) are applied by means of a printing process or a metallization process on the shared support (20; 30; 40; 50). 15. Security element according to one of claims 1 to 14, characterized in that an additional strongly coercive magnetic zone is provided for the insertion of the switching state of the security element. 16. Safety element according to at least one of claims 1 to 15, characterized in that at least partial areas have been provided with an opaque coating layer that conceals the position and arrangement of the weakly coercive magnetic zone (24 ; 34; 44; 54). 17. Security element according to claim 16, characterized in that the coating layer has voids in the form of signs or motifs that compose a visually or mechanically readable information. 18. Security element according to at least one of claims 1 to 17, characterized in that the security element forms a security thread (12), a security tape, a patch or a transfer element (14), especially on a transferable sheet. 19. Security paper, according to at least one of claims 1 to 18. 20. Value document, such as banknote bank, passport, identity document or similar, with one item safety (12, 14), according to at least one of the claims 1 to 18. 21. Security document according to claim 20, characterized in that the security element (12, 14) is contained in the value document on a support (20; 30; 40; 50). 22. Security document according to claim 20, characterized in that the weakly coercive magnetic zone (54) and the strongly coercive magnetic zone (52) of the security element are arranged on the same or opposite sides of the value document (50 ). 23. Value document according to at least one of claims 20 to 22, characterized in that the weakly coercive magnetic zone (24; 34; 44; 54) of the security element is provided with a magnetic code. 24. Value document according to at least one of claims 20 to 23, characterized in that the value document is marked by magnetizing the strongly coercive magnetic zone (22; 32; 42; 52) of the security element. 25. Value document according to at least one of claims 20 to 24, characterized in that an additional strongly coercive magnetic zone (16) is provided in the value document for the insertion of a switching state of the value document . 26. A method for manufacturing a security element according to one of claims 1 to 18, characterized in that the weakly coercive magnetic zone and the strongly coercive magnetic zone are printed or metallized on a shared substrate or a value document. 27. Procedure for the verification of a value document according to at least one of the claims 20 to 25, in which a) the magnetic zone is weakly magnetized coercive of the security element or parts thereof, b) the magnetic zone is magnetized strongly coercive of the security element, in the event that the Value document must be provided with a marking, c) the remaining magnetization of the weakly coercive magnetic zone or partial zones of the same, and d) is checked on the basis of the remaining magnetization determined if the value document is endowed with a dial or not. 28. Method according to claim 27, characterized in that the strongly coercive magnetic zone is magnetized in step b) perpendicular to a predefined magnetization direction of the weakly coercive magnetic zone. 29. Method according to claim 27, characterized in that the strongly coercive magnetic zone is magnetized in step b) parallel to a predefined magnetization direction of the weakly coercive magnetic zone. 30. Method according to at least one of claims 27 to 29, characterized in that the value paper contains, stretched along, a security element with a longitudinal axis and the weakly coercive magnetic zones are magnetized in a perpendicular direction. to the longitudinal axis. Method, according to at least one of claims 27 to 30, characterized in that after a marking of the value document the strongly coercive magnetic zone is demagnetized, in order to be able to activate the weakly coercive magnetic code of the security element again. 32. Method according to at least one of claims 27 to 31, characterized in that in the case of checking that the value document is marked, the functionality of the value document is modified, in particular it is restricted.