WO2008119708A2

WO2008119708A2 - Document comprising a security element, reading appliance and method for reading a security element

Info

Publication number: WO2008119708A2
Application number: PCT/EP2008/053585
Authority: WO
Inventors: Dr. Malte Pflughoefft; Jörg Fischer; Dr. André LEOPOLD; Christian Kunath
Original assignee: Bundesdruckerei Gmbh
Priority date: 2007-04-02
Filing date: 2008-03-27
Publication date: 2008-10-09
Also published as: DE102007015934A1; JP2010524070A; WO2008119708A9; WO2008119708A3; KR101539563B1; DE102007015934B4; JP5196682B2; EP2134554B1; EP2134554A2; KR20100015383A

Abstract

The invention relates to a document comprising a security element (102) and an optical element (108). The security element is arranged in front of the optical element, and the optical element for checking the security element can be switched between at least first and second optical states. The security element can be optically checked in only one of the first and second states.

Description

Document with a security feature, reader and method for reading a security feature

Description

The invention relates to a document with a security feature, in particular a value or security document, a reading device for such a document and a method for reading a security feature.

Various security features for value or security documents are known from the prior art. These include optical security features that are visually detectable by a user and / or by machine through an optical sensor.

The optical security features include, for example:

- Guilloche: Guilloche are printed on the document with the help of so-called line printing. They are generally made up of different colors of superimposed wave and loop patterns;

- Micro-font: These are printed letters in the smallest font. With the naked eye, the micro-writing can hardly be recognized. For example, micro-typeface is incorporated into the motifs on the euro banknotes as a picture element. With the help of a magnifying glass, the micro-font can be read;

Metameric systems: Due to metameric color uniformity, different spectral compositions of light can cause the same color impression in humans and, for example, make them visually perceptible by means of color filters or variable illumination sources; - Imprints with fluorescence, phosphorescence and / or up-conversion colors;

- Imprints with infrared color: The color is detectable only under infrared radiation for readers with corresponding sensors. For example, euro banknotes are equipped with this optical security feature;

Barcodes, in particular one- or two-dimensional barcodes, monochrome or multicolor;

- Optically variable colors (OVI - Optical Variable Ink): In the case of an optically variable color, the color impression changes according to the viewing angle, since the light is refracted, scattered or reflected at the pigments;

- holograms and kinegrams (transparent or reflective);

Watermark;

- digital watermarks that are a visible and / or machine readable

Carry information;

- Passer printing: Different patterns or symbols are printed over or against each other so that together they give a certain image. Smallest deviations in the state, i. so-called registration inaccuracies, can be easily detected with the naked eye. If the sub-images are on different sides of the document, such as a banknote, this optical security feature is referred to as a transcript;

- see-through window: A window made of a transparent plastic film is incorporated in the document; - mottled fibers: the paper of the document is mixed with fibers that shine in different colors under UV light;

- security thread;

- microperforation.

From DE 197 35 293 A1 a value and security product with luminescent element is known. A luminescent element is arranged under a layer formed as an authenticity element in order to be able to carry out a visual or mechanical optical authenticity check under all lighting conditions. As a result, an authenticity check is possible even in the dark, without a separate light source is required. With the aid of a light source, however, the authenticity element can be checked independently of the state of the luminescent element in each case.

The patent application DE 10 2006 059 865.2-55 of the same Applicant, unpublished at the time of filing, discloses a document with an optical element which is arranged in front of a security feature. The optical element covers the underlying security feature so that the security feature is invisible to a user while the optical element is in its non-transparent state. To check the security feature, the optical element is converted into a transparent state.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved document and a reader and a method for such a document.

The objects underlying the invention are each achieved with the features of the independent claims. Preferred embodiments of the invention are specified in the dependent claims.

The invention provides a document with an optical security feature, such as a security document or security document, in particular a means of payment, a chip card, an identity document, a proof of entitlement, a means of payment or the like. The document may be paper-based and / or plastic-based.

The document according to the invention has a security feature which is arranged in front of an optical element in a direction of incidence of radiation for viewing or mechanically detecting the security feature. The optical element can be switched between first and second states in which the optical element has different optical properties. For example, the optical element in its first state generates a background for the security feature against which the security feature is optically detectable. In its second state, for example, the optical element, on the other hand, generates a background for the security feature, before which the security feature can not be detected visually and / or mechanically optically.

The fact that it is necessary to check the security feature to bring the optical element in one of its two states, another security feature is given, since the verification of the optical security feature of the document requires that the user, for example, using a reader to do so in is able to switch the optical element. Furthermore, a document according to the invention can be designed to be particularly tamper-proof, since readjustment of the document is not possible either by means of conventional security printing techniques or with digital techniques alone.

According to one embodiment of the invention, one of the states of the optical element is the normal state in which the security feature can not be detected optically. By coupling energy, the optical element transitions at least temporarily into its other state in which the security feature can be detected optically.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the optical element has a first state in which it acts transmissively and a second state in which it is reflective. Only when the optical element is in its transmissive state is it possible to check the security feature on the back of the document. According to one embodiment of the invention, the optical element is switchable by coupling energy from its first state into its second state and / or from its second state into its first state. Depending on the embodiment of the optical element, the coupling of the energy can be effected directly, for example by an electromagnetic field, into the optical element so that it is brought into its second, substantially transparent state.

The coupling of the energy can also be done via a separate coupling element, such as a contact-type, non-contact or dual-mode

Interface, in particular a chip card interface or an RF interface.

The coupling element may be, for example, an antenna or a

Coil act, for example, for inductive coupling of a voltage that switches the optical element in its second, substantially transparent state.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the optical element is bistable, i. the optical element remains in its respective state as long as it is not switched. For such a bistable optical element, it is therefore necessary for it to be switched back from its second, essentially transparent state into its first, substantially non-transparent state after inspection of the optical security feature. This can be done by a corresponding circuit of the document and / or by re-coupling energy, for example from an external reader.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the optical element is semi-bistable. The optical element thus remains in its first state. After the optical element has been switched to its second state, it remains in this second state for a certain time, before it then automatically falls back into the first state. This embodiment has the advantage that only a single switching operation is required to enable the optical element for a certain period for the inspection of the optical security feature of the document in its second state, from which it then automatically without further switching action back to the first state falling back. The first can be essentially reflective, the second essentially being absorbent. In a further embodiment, the first state may be substantially absorbent, the second substantially reflective. In a further embodiment, the first state may be substantially non-transparent and the second substantially transparent, or vice versa.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the optical element includes a bistable rotating element display with rotating elements which are light-absorbing in a first rotational position and translucent in a second rotational position so that the optical security feature of the document is obscured when the rotational elements are in their first rotational positions ,

According to one embodiment of the invention, the optical element includes a bistable rotary element display with rotating elements which are light-absorbing in a first rotational position and reflective in a second rotational position, so that the optical security feature of the document is not recognizable when the rotary elements in their first rotational positions are located.

In one embodiment, the optical element includes an electrophoretic or electrochromic display device.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the optical element includes an electrostatic wetting element, i. a so-called electrowetting display device.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the optical element comprises a liquid crystal display device, in particular with cholesteric or nematic liquid-crystalline materials.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the optical element includes a flexible display, as available, for example, from Citala (http://www.citala.com). According to one embodiment of the invention, the optical element includes a microelectromechanical system (MEMS), such as a microshutter array, as available, for example, from Flixel Ltd (www.flixel.com).

According to one embodiment of the invention, the optical element includes a display device based on ferroelectric materials.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the optical element includes a display device based on organic light-emitting diodes.

The display device forming the optical element may include, for example, matrix-type display elements. However, the display elements need not necessarily be controlled individually, but it is sufficient a collective control of the display elements in order to put them in each case in the first, essentially non-transparent state or the second, substantially transparent state.

The display device forming the optical element may include, for example, matrix-type display elements. However, the display elements do not necessarily have to be individually controlled, but a collective activation of the display elements is sufficient to put them in the first, essentially non-reflective state or the second, substantially reflective state.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the optical security feature of the document is a guilloche, micro-writing, a metameric system, a print with fluorescence, phosphorescence and / or up-conversion color, an imprint with infrared color, Optical variable ink (OVI), a hologram or kinegram (transparent or reflective), a watermark, a passport print, a see-through window, a pass-through passport, a transmission hologram, a holographic filter that selectively selects wavelengths from the spectrum of the visible light or other transmissive elements, mottled fibers, a security thread and / or microperforations. According to one embodiment of the invention, the security feature includes optically readable information. For example, the security feature is a digital watermark or a one- or two-dimensional barcode. The watermark or barcode can be printed on the document.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the security feature is formed by an optical data memory, in particular a holographic data memory, in particular based on plastic.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the security feature stores biometric data, such as facial data, fingerprint data and / or iris scan data. For example, the document is a machine-readable travel document (MRTD), in particular according to an ICAO (International Civil Aviation Organization) standard. The biometric data may be the biometric data of the wearer of the MRTD.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the security feature stores data that can be used within the framework of a so-called basic access control. For example, the document has a machine-readable zone (MRZ) in which optically readable data is stored. This data, a cipher of this data, or a hash of that data may be stored in the security feature.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the document includes an integrated electronic circuit for driving the optical element to transfer it from its first to the second state and / or from its second to its first state, and if necessary from its state in which a check of the security feature is possible to restore to its normal state after an optical access to the security feature has taken place. The integrated electronic circuit may have an interface or be connected to an interface via which the energy for operation of the integrated electronic circuit and for driving the optical element is coupled contactless or contact-based. In particular, the interface may be a smart card or RF interface.

In a further aspect, the invention relates to a reading device for a document according to the invention. The reader has means for initiating the switching of the optical element between the first and second states to allow optical access to the security feature of the document.

In a further aspect, the invention relates to a method for reading a security feature of a document according to the invention.

In the following, embodiments of the invention will be explained in more detail with reference to the drawings. Show it:

Figure 1 is a block diagram of an embodiment of an inventive

document,

FIG. 2 shows a block diagram of a further embodiment of a document according to the invention,

FIG. 3 shows a block diagram of a further embodiment of a document according to the invention and a reader according to the invention,

FIG. 4 shows a cross-section of a further embodiment of a document according to the invention, when the optical element is in its first state,

FIG. 5 shows the embodiment of FIG. 4 when the optical element is in its second state, 6 shows a cross-section of a further embodiment of a document according to the invention, wherein the security feature has a line pattern when the optical element is in its first state, FIG.

FIG. 7 shows the embodiment of FIG. 6 when the optical element is in its second state,

FIG. 8 shows a cross-section of a further embodiment of a document according to the invention, the security feature being shown as a volume

Hologram is formed, and the optical element is in its first state,

FIG. 9 shows the embodiment of FIG. 8 with the optical element in its second state,

FIG. 10 shows a cross-section of a further embodiment of a document according to the invention, wherein the optical element is in its first state,

11 shows the embodiment of FIG. 10 with the optical element in its second state, FIG.

FIG. 12 shows a cross-section of a further embodiment of a document according to the invention, the optical element being in its first position

State is,

FIG. 13 shows the embodiment of FIG. 12, with the optical element in its second state,

FIG. 14 shows a cross-section of a further embodiment of a document according to the invention, wherein the optical element is in its first state, FIG. 14a shows a cross-section of a further embodiment of a document according to the invention, wherein the optical element is in its first state,

FIG. 15 shows the embodiment of FIG. 14, with the optical element in its second state,

FIG. 15 a shows the embodiment of FIG. 14 a, wherein the optical element is in its second state,

FIG. 16 is a block diagram of another embodiment of a document according to the invention and an embodiment of a reader according to the invention,

FIG. 17 shows a flowchart of an embodiment of a method according to the invention.

In the following description of the figures, corresponding elements of the various embodiments are marked with the same reference numerals.

FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of a document 100 according to the invention in a schematic sectional view. The document 100 has a security feature 102, which may be any known from the prior art optical security feature. The security feature 102 is placed on the document 100 or embedded within the body of the document 100 so that it is not visible from the back 104 of the document 100. The rear side 104 of the document can, however, also be transparent, so that the security feature 102-depending on the state of the optical element 108 -is visible from the rear side 104. This is particularly advantageous when the security feature 102 is a see-through passport, a portion of a pass-through pass, a transmission hologram, a holographic filter that selectively passes wavelengths from the visible light spectrum, a see-through window or other transmissive element. Behind the security feature 102, the optical element 108 is arranged in the body of the document 100. The optical element 108 is switchable between at least two different states, in which the optical element 108 each has different optical properties. For example, the optical element 108 serves to generate various backgrounds for the security feature 102, in front of which the security feature 102 is optically detectable or optically non-detectable. For this purpose, the optical element 108 can, for example, in its first state, have an absorbing effect on the incident radiation, while it is reflective in its second state.

The reader 112 may be configured as an energy source, from which energy is coupled into the optical element 108 in order to switch it. If the optical element 108 is a semi-bistable optical element, then a single energy pulse may be sufficient to bring the optical element 108 into a specific state for a certain period of time, from which it then automatically returns after this time has elapsed , Conversely, if the optical element 108 is a bistable optical element, then another energy pulse may be required to restore the optical element to its original state.

Furthermore, the optical element 108 may also be configured such that a constant coupling of energy is required to keep the optical element 108 in a certain state. If the supply of energy is interrupted, the optical element 108 immediately falls back to its original state in such an embodiment.

For example, the optical element 108 may be formed as a bistable rotary element display or as a bistable electrophoretic display, as known per se from WO 03 / 009059A1, for example. For a semi-bistable embodiment, the optical element 108 includes a display device with, for example, an electrochromic display. For an embodiment where the continual supply of energy is required to maintain the optical element 108 in its second state, it may include an LCD display. For example, the optical element 108 includes electrically or magnetically charged rotary elements. By radiating a corresponding electromagnetic field from the reader 102, the rotary elements can be moved so that the optical element 108 is switchable between its first and second states. In such an embodiment, the coupling of the energy is thus directly into the optical element 108th

FIG. 2 shows an alternative embodiment of a document 100 according to the invention with a coupling element 114 for coupling energy for driving the optical element 108. The coupling element 114 can be designed as a contact-type, contactless or dual-mode interface, in particular as a chip card Interface or RF interface. For example, the coupling element 114 may be an antenna or a coil, for example, to inductively couple in a voltage by which the optical element 108 is set in its second state.

For example, the coupling element 114 is connected by a line 116 to the optical element 108 in order to drive it and, if necessary, to supply it with energy. Such an arrangement offers the advantage of a special security against manipulation, since it can not be removed from the document 100 without destruction and inserted into another document body. This is especially the case when the line 116 runs within the document body. The document body of the document 100 can be paper-based and / or plastic-based, for example in the form of a paper-based travel document or a chip card.

FIG. 3 shows an embodiment of a reading device 112 according to the invention. The reading device 112 has a power source 118 for coupling energy into the coupling element 114, for example via a contact-type or contactless interface. The reader 112 further has a radiation source 120 for generating a reading beam 122 for optically checking the security feature 102 of the document 100. For the optical detection of the security feature, the reader 112 has one or more optical sensors, such as the optical sensors 124 and 126. The optical sensor 124 is positioned on the same side as the radiation source 120 with respect to the document 100 so that it is used to detect the the security feature 102 and optionally of the optical element 108 due to the reading beam 122 reflected radiation 128 is formed. In contrast, the optical sensor 126 is arranged opposite the rear side 104 of the document 100 in order to detect the transmitted radiation 130, ie the portion of the reading beam that has been transmitted by the security feature 102 and the optical element 108. In the reading device 112, a receiving area 132 for receiving the document 100 may be formed, as shown in FIG.

The optical sensors are shown symbolically. In particular, it is possible to arrange a plurality of sensors to detect large-area reflected patterns, such as e.g. Furthermore, the sensors can be aligned via further optical aids, for example beam splitters, so that they can also detect light reflected in the direction of the radiation source 120.

The reader 112 has a processor 119 for executing program instructions 121 and 123 for controlling the various components of the reader 112 and for evaluating the signals supplied by the optical sensor 124 and / or the optical sensor 126, respectively. Furthermore, the processor 119 may control an interface 125 of the reader 112, which may be a user interface and / or a network interface. Via the interface 125, the data obtained on the basis of the evaluation and / or other data read from the document 100 can be output.

FIG. 4 shows a cross-section of an embodiment of a document 100 according to the invention. The document has a carrier 134, which may be plastic and / or paper-based and which may include other security features, imprints or the like. On the carrier 134, the optical element 108 is arranged. FIG. 4 shows the optical element 108 in its first state in which it acts as an absorbent. Above the optical element 108, a further layer 136 may be arranged, on which the optical security feature 102 is located. Typically, the document 100 may still have a protective layer 138 over the security feature 102.

In the embodiment considered here, the security feature 102 is designed to be reflective for radiation of a particular spectral range, such as green light, whereas it acts as a transmissive component for other spectral components in the visible range, in particular red and blue light. For example, the security feature 102 may be formed as a volume hologram.

FIG. 4 shows by way of example the red component 122 ', the green component 122 "and the blue component 122'" of the reading beam 122. The red component 122 'and the blue component 122' "transmit through the security feature 102, since the security feature 102 in FIG In contrast, the green component 122 "is reflected by the security feature 102, so that the reflected radiation 128 consists of the portion of the green component 122" reflected by the security feature 102 Accordingly, reflected radiation 128 generates a green color impression, that is, image 111, in user 110 (see FIGS. 1 and 2).

Figure 5 shows the document 100 after the optical element 108 has been switched to its other state. While the optical element 108 generates a black background in its first state shown in FIG. 4, it produces a white or a reflective background in its second state shown in FIG. In this state, the optical element 108 acts as a reflector.

As a result, those portions of the reading beam 122 which are not reflected by the security feature 102 but are transmitted are scattered or reflected by the optical element, so that, as a result, the whole Reading beam 122 can escape from the document or is reflected directly. The scattered radiation in direction 128 is therefore no longer composed only of the green spectral range but experiences a significant color shift through the additionally present red and blue components, so that the security feature 102 is not or barely perceptible. In this case, the reflected radiation 128 is thus composed of the reflected red, green and blue components 122 ', 122 "and 122'" of the reading beam 122. This results in total z. B. an approximately white color impression of Figure 111 at the user 110, so that the security feature 102 is imperceptible.

The embodiment of the document 100 of FIGS. 4 and 5 is particularly advantageous when the security feature 102 is a volume reflection hologram. Namely, the visibility of a volume reflection hologram is significantly improved when it is on a dark background. For example, full-color holograms, with a suitable choice of the characteristics of the holographic recording medium having, for example, a material thickness of about 10 μm and a refractive index modulation between 10 ^-3 and 10 ^-2 on a white background, are very difficult, but very much against a black background clearly visible. Thus, in the embodiment of FIGS. 4 and 5, contrast enhancement for the security feature 102 formed as a volume hologram can be achieved when the optical element 108 is in its absorbing, ie, black, state.

The optical element 108 can be designed so that it can be switched between two different colors. For example, the optical element 108 may be configured to be black in its first state to provide a black background for viewing the security feature 102. In its second state, however, the optical element 108 has a color which is approximately equal to the color in which the security feature 102 reflects or scatters an incident reading beam 122. In this case, the security feature structure is not visible to the user 110 because the background created by the optical element 108 is the same color as the security feature 102 when the optical element is in its second state. The security feature 102 may also be formed as an active radiation source, which generates radiation of a particular color itself. In this case as well, the optical element 108 can then be embodied such that it has a different color than the security feature 102 in its first state, for example black, and in its second state essentially the same color with which the security feature 102 Radiation radiates. This embodiment has the advantage that a reading beam 122 is not absolutely necessary.

For example, the security feature 102 may be a luminescent marker. The luminescent label emits radiation of a particular color. The optical element 108 is then black in its first state, for example, and in its second state has a color that is approximately equal to the color in which the security feature 102 emits radiation.

For example, the security feature 102 may be a luminescent marker. The luminescent label emits radiation of a particular color. The optical element 108 is then black in its first state, for example, emits light in its second state, which excites the security feature 102 for the emission of radiation.

In a further embodiment with a luminescent security feature 102, this light emits a color impression which corresponds to the color impression of the first switching state of the optical element 108. In the second switching state, however, the optical element 108 has a different color impression, so that it can be perceived.

In a third embodiment with a luminescent security feature 102, this light emits a color impression which corresponds to the color impression of the first switching state of the optical element 108. In the second switching state, however, the optical element 108 emits light with a different color impression, particularly preferably with a contrast or complementary color, so that the security feature 102 can easily be verified. For this purpose, the optical element 108 may preferably be formed as an active radiation source. For example, the optical element is not luminescent in its first state, ie, for example, black. In its second state, however, the optical element 108 is luminescent, with the radiation emitted by the optical element 108 due to luminescence being similar or identical to that of the security feature 102. The same effect can be achieved by using an organic light emitting diode or an organic light emitting diode display as the optical element 108.

The security feature 102 may consist of a print whose color is metamer with the color of the optical element 108 when the optical element is in its second state. In this second state, which is preferably the normal state of the optical element 108, the printed motif of the security feature 102 can only be observed under certain exposure conditions. For verification of the security feature 102, in particular for machine verification, the optical element 108 is temporarily switched from its second state to its first state in which it assumes a contrasting color, preferably black or white.

According to a further embodiment, the security feature 102 is a print in a color which reflects linearly polarized light of a first polarization direction. The optical element 108 is then designed such that it reflects linearly polarized light of a second polarization direction, the second polarization direction being rotated by 90 ° with respect to the first polarization direction. The component of the reading beam 122 which lies in the first polarization direction is therefore reflected by the security feature 102, whereas the component of the reading beam 122 which lies in the second polarization direction is reflected by the optical element 108.

In one embodiment, the security feature 102 is a print of one color. The optical element 108 switches between a state in which the optical element has the same color as the security feature 102 and a second state which has a color with the same color impression (metameric color). In further embodiments, the optimal switch element 108 between the color of security feature 102 and a contrasting color or in another form between a metameric color and a contrasting color. A contrasting color is any color which allows an optical detection of the security feature, particularly preferably without the aid of technical means.

As a result, the reading beam 122 is reflected in total by the document 100. In this switching state of the optical element 108, in which it reflects linearly polarized light in the second polarization direction, the security feature 102 can only be detected with the aid of a polarization filter. For verification of the security feature 102, in particular for machine verification, the optical element 108 can be switched to a contrasting color, preferably black or white. Alternatively, the optical element 108 may also be designed such that in its other state it reflects linearly polarized light of the first polarization direction. In the latter case, only the component of the reading beam 122 is then reflected by the document 100, which lies in the first polarization direction. The security feature 102 can then also be detected without a polarization filter.

In another embodiment of the invention, the security feature 102 is a print in a color that absorbs visible light but does not absorb infrared light. The visible components of the reading beam 122 are therefore absorbed by the security feature 102, whereas the infrared component of the reading beam 122 is not absorbed but transmitted, so that the infrared component of the reading beam can reach the optical element 108 located below the security feature 102. The optical element 108 is here designed so that it absorbs infrared light in one state, and in its other state does not absorb infrared light, but instead, for example, reflects or transmits it. Depending on the switching state of the opti see element 108 may thus be detected by the reader 102, a signal in the infrared region or not.

In a further embodiment of the invention, the security feature 102 is a non-solid print in one color, which Absorbs light from an invisible spectral component, such as infrared light, but transmits visible light. Such a security feature 102 can also be checked with the aid of the optical element 108 if it has a state in which it absorbs infrared light and has another state in which it does not absorb infrared light, that is, for example, reflects or transmits it. In this embodiment, the optical element 108 may have identical, similar or different properties in its two states in the visible region of the light.

FIG. 6 shows an embodiment of a document 100 according to the invention with a security feature 102 that has a structuring, such as a line pattern. FIG. 6 shows by way of example the lines 140, 142 and 144 of the security feature 102.

In the embodiment considered here, the reading beam 122 is not directed perpendicularly, as in the embodiment of FIGS. 4 and 5, but at an angle to the document 100, as shown in FIG. Where the reading beam 122 hits one of the lines of the security feature 102, a spectral component of the reading beam 122 is reflected, whereas other spectral components of the reading beam 122 are transmitted.

As in the exemplary embodiment of Figures 4 and 5, this is shown by way of example for the green component 122 "in Figure 6. The red component 122 'of the reading beam 122 thus passes through the security feature 102, regardless of whether the red component 122' on a The red component 122 'thus arrives at the optical element 108. In the state of the optical element 108 shown in Figure 6, this acts absorbing, so that the red component 122' of the reading beam 122 completely from The same applies to the other spectral components of the reading beam 122, in particular for the blue component 122 '"and also the green component 122" insofar as it does not impinge on one of the lines of the security feature 102. Where the green component 122 "of the reading beam 122 impinges on one of the lines, for example on the line 140, the reflected radiation 128 results. Due to the reflected radiation 128, the user 110 has the impression of a line pattern 146, that is, an image of the lines 140 , 142, 144, ... of the security feature 102.

This embodiment also works if the line pattern is normally reflective, ie not wavelength selective. In the case of the absorptively connected security element 108, the line pattern is seen in high contrast; in the case of the reflective element 108 switched on, this contrast disappears.

FIG. 7 shows the document 100 of the embodiment of FIG. 6 when the optical element 108 is in its other state in which it has a reflective effect. The spectral components transmitted on the lines of the security feature 102, that is to say in particular the red component 122 'and the blue component 122' ", are then not absorbed by the optical element 108, but reflected, resulting in a changed line pattern 148 resulting from an overlay of the line pattern 146 with lines 150 created by the red and blue components 112 'and 112' ". The lines 150 are approximately magenta due to the blanking of the green components 122 ".

For example, the layer 136 may be about 100 .mu.m high, so that for viewing at 45.degree., Printing with lines of <200 .mu.m width and a density of about 2.5 lines per millimeter or less may be selected. Alternatively, the layer can be, for example, about 250 μm high, in which case a printing with lines of <500 μm width can be selected. Instead of a reflector, the optical element 108 may also form a white surface in its state shown in FIG. In this case, the magenta lines 150 would be seen in lower brightness from arbitrary angles; however, the perception as a changeable line image also remains in this embodiment.

The embodiments described above with reference to the embodiment of Figures 4 and 5, for example, with respect to different polarization tions, luminescence and infrared radiation components can be used analogously in the embodiment of FIGS. 6 and 7.

FIG. 8 shows an embodiment of the document 100 in which the security feature 102 is designed as a volume hologram. The volume hologram is such that the outgoing observation beam is observable at an angle other than that expected by the classical reflection condition. If, for example, the reading beam 122 impinges on an image point 152 of the volume hologram of the security feature 102 exemplified in FIG. 8 at an angle of incidence of approximately 45 °, the reflected radiation 128 results at an observation angle of 0 °, ie. the pixel 153. The optical element 108 acts in its state shown in Figure 8 absorbing. That is, the red and blue components 122 'and 122' "of the read beam 122 are absorbed by the optical element 108.

FIG. 9 shows the document 100 in the embodiment of FIG. 8 after the optical element 108 has been switched to its other state in which it has a reflective effect. In this state, the red and blue components 122 'and 122' "of the reading beam 122 are not absorbed by the optical element 108 but reflected, the angle of reflection being equal to the angle of incidence, as shown in FIG red and blue components 122 'and 122' ', an additional magenta point 154 results from the pixel 152 of the volume hologram.

Figures 10 and 11 show an embodiment of the document 100 wherein the optical element 108 is switchable between an absorbing state as shown in Figure 10 and a transparent state as shown in Figure 11. Depending on the embodiment of the security feature 102, the reading beam 122 can be changed by the security feature 102 or remain unchanged. For example, the read beam consists only of a green component 122 ", for which the other layers of the construction of the document, that is, the protective layer 138, the layer 136 and the carrier 134, are transparent Elements 108, the security feature 102 can not be checked, since the reading beam so completely absorbed becomes. In contrast, in the state of the optical element 108 shown in FIG. 11, at least part of the reading beam is transmitted, so that a corresponding transmission image 156 results.

The security feature 102 may be transparent, a portion of a pass-through, a transmission hologram, a holographic filter that selectively passes wavelengths from the visible light spectrum, a see-through window or other transmissive element, or the like.

FIGS. 12 and 13 show a further embodiment of the document 100 according to the invention. In this embodiment, the optical element can be switched between the absorbent state shown in FIG. 12 and the transparent state shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 12, a single image 111 is obtained in the absorbing state of the optical element 108 analogously to the embodiment of FIG. 4, whereas in the transparent state of the optical element 108 an additional image 158 is obtained Here, by way of example, superimposition of the red and blue components 122 'and 122' due to the reflection of the green component 122 "on the security feature 102 appears magenta-colored. The security feature 102 may be formed as a hologram in the embodiment considered here.

FIGS. 14 and 15 show an embodiment of the document according to the invention with a reflector 160. The security feature 102 may be a transmission hologram. Here, the optical element 108 can be switched between the non-transparent state shown in FIG. 14 and the transparent state shown in FIG. Only when the optical element 108 is in its transparent state, an image 162 is obtained, as shown in FIG.

Only when the optical element 108 is in its transparent state, the portion of the beam 122 diffracted by the transmission hologram, ie, a beam 122b, passes the optical element 108 and strikes the reflector 160, so that you get the figure 162. The same applies to the non-diffracted portion of the beam 122, ie the beam 122a.

The reflector 160 may be a reflective metal surface. This may be formed as part of the optical element 108, for example as a return electrode of the display element forming the optical element 108. When the optical element 108 is switchable between a reflective and an absorbing state, no additional reflector is needed in this embodiment.

According to a further embodiment of the invention, the security feature 102 consists of a Fourier hologram. A Fourier hologram has the property of being able to project an image when irradiated with suitable light of a suitable wavelength and an appropriate angle of incidence. This image may be, for example, a data page, a logo or the like. Laser irradiation of classic display holograms can produce the same effect. Figures 14b and 15b show this feature accordingly.

For all the preceding embodiments, the possibilities of using Fourier or display holograms instead of pure holographic mirrors or similar diffracting structures apply mutatis mutandis.

FIG. 16 shows another embodiment of a document 100 according to the invention and a reader 112 according to the invention. In the embodiment considered here, the document 100 is a travel document, such as an electronic passport. The document 100 has a so-called machine-readable zone (MRZ) 164. The coupling element 114 is embodied here as an RF chip. This is used to execute program instructions 166 for the execution of a cryptographic protocol and program instructions 168 for the control of the optical element 108. Furthermore, data 170 may be stored in the RF chip, such as sensitive or vulnerable data, in particular biometric data the document carrier 100. Here, the processor 119 of the reader 112 serves to execute program instructions 172 which implement the steps of the cryptographic protocol relating to the reader 112. The energy source 118 of the reader 112 is embodied here as an RF interface in order to communicate with the RF chip of the document 100. In addition to the optical sensor 124, the reader 112 may include another optical sensor 174 to detect, for example, the MRZ 164 or other optically readable data.

The cryptographic protocol implemented by the program instructions 166 and 172 may, for example, be a protocol for performing a Basic Access Control (BAC). For this purpose, the RF chip is designed such that only after successful execution of the BAC with the aid of the program instructions 168 the optical element 108 is controlled so that the security feature 102 can be checked by the reader 112.

For example, first of all the MRZ 164 is detected with the aid of the optical sensor 174. From the data thus acquired, the reader 112 generates a key with which it encrypts a random number transmitted by the RF chip and transmits the cipher with the aid of the RF interface to the RF chip. The RF chip checks this ciphertext for agreement with the expected value. If the cipher corresponds to the expected value, then the BAC is considered successfully passed.

FIG. 17 shows a corresponding flow chart. In step 200, a BAC protocol is performed between the reader and the document. Upon successful completion of the BAC protocol, the RF chip sends a switching signal to the optical element of the document so that it is put into a state in which the security feature of the document is verifiable. In step 204, the data stored in the security feature is read out by the reader and checked in step 206 for compliance with the data acquired for executing the BAC protocol from the MRZ of the document. If there is no match, the reader issues an error message in step 208; otherwise, in step 210, the reader accesses the data stored in the document to retrieve it via RF (see the data stored in memory 170 in the embodiment of Figure 16). In the case of more sensitive data stored in 102, it is also possible to assume, in addition to the successful BAC, successful Extended Access Control (EAC) during which the terminal identifies itself as having legitimate access to the data stored in security feature 102.

Compound list

100 document

102 security feature

104 back side

106 front side

108 optical element

110 users

10 111 Illustration

112 reader

114 coupling element

116 line

118 energy source

15 119 processor

120 radiation source

121 program instructions

122 reading beam

123 program instructions

20 124 optical sensor

125 interface

126 interface

128 reflected radiation

130 transmitted radiation

25 132 Recording area

134 carriers

136 shift

138 protective layer

140 lines

30 142 lines

144 lines

146 line patterns

148 line patterns

150 lines 152 pixels

153 point

154 point

156 transmission image

158 illustration

160 reflector

162 illustration

165 MRZ

166 program instructions

10 168 program instructions

170 dates

172 program instructions

174 optical sensor

15

Claims

Patent claims

1. A document having a security feature (102) and an optical element (108), wherein the security feature is arranged in front of the optical element, and the optical element for checking the security feature is switchable between at least first and second optical states, wherein the security feature in only one of the first and second states is optically verifiable.

The document of claim 1, wherein the optical element is switchable by coupling energy between its first and second states.

3. Document according to claim 2, wherein the optical element is designed for coupling the energy.

4. Document according to claim 2, having a coupling element (114) for coupling in the energy, wherein the optical element can be driven by the coupling element.

5. Document according to claim 2, with a contact-type, a contactless or a dual-mode interface (114), in particular a chip card interface or an RF interface, for coupling the energy.

A document according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the optical element is bistable.

A document according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the optical element is semi-bistable.

8. Document according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the optical element is an electrophoretic, electrochromic, electrostatic, rotary element, an electro-wetting, ferroelectric and / or liquid crystal display device, in particular with cholesthemischen or nematic liquid-crystalline materials, a microelectromechanical system (MEMS), such as a micro-shutter array, and / or a display device based on ferroelectric materials or interferometric modulators, an organic light-emitting diode or an organic light-emitting diode display up.

9. Document according to claim 8, wherein the display device has a plurality of display elements, each of which puts a partial area of the optical element in the first or second state, wherein the display device is designed to collectively drive the display elements to bring them all in the first or the second state to switch.

10. Document according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the security feature is a hologram, in particular a volume hologram, reflection hologram, transmission hologram, Fourier

Hologram, display hologram, a luminescent marking, a reflector for reflecting polarized light, an absorber for absorbing light of a specific spectral range, a guilloche, microchip, a metameric system, a print with fluorescence, phosphorescence and / or up -Conversion color, an imprint with infrared color,

Optically variable colors (OVI - Optical Variable Ink), Kinegram (transparent or reflective), a watermark, barcode, registration printing, a see-through window, mottled fibers, a security thread and / or a microperforations.

11. Document according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the security feature carries optically readable and / or optically cognitive detectable data.

12. Document according to claim 11, wherein the security feature is designed as an optical data memory, in particular as a holographic data memory.

The document of claim 11 or 12, wherein the data is biometric and / or biographical data.

14. Document according to one of the preceding claims, comprising an integrated electronic circuit (114) for switching the optical element.

15. A document according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the optical element absorbs incident radiation in its first state and reflects incident radiation in its second state.

16. Document according to claim 15, wherein the security feature is designed for reflection in a first spectral range (122 ") and for transmission in a second spectral range (122 ', 122'"), and wherein the optical element is designed to be in absorbing in its first state at least in the second spectral range and reflecting in its second state at least in the second spectral range.

17. Document according to claim 15, wherein the security feature for reflection, scattering or generation of radiation is formed in a first spectral range, and wherein the optical element is designed in its second state for reflection in the first spectral range.

18. Document according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the security feature is a luminescent in a first spectral range marking, wherein the optical element in its first

State is not luminescent and is luminescent in its second state in the first spectral range.

19. The document of claim 1, wherein the security feature has a first color, and wherein the optical element in its first state has a second color different from the first color, and wherein the optical element is in its second state has a third color metamer with the first color.

20. Document according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the security feature for the reflection of linearly polarized radiation of a first polarization direction is formed, and wherein the optical element is formed so that it reflects only in its second state linearly polarized light of a second polarization direction, wherein the second polarization direction is perpendicular to the first polarization direction.

21. Document according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the security feature has a structure.

22. Document according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the optical element is formed in its first state for the reflection of radiation and in its second state for the transmission of radiation.

23. Document according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the security feature is designed so that it is visually perceptible only in the first or the second state of the optical element.

24. Document according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the optical element has a display device, the reflective, directionally reflective, diffuse scattering and / or transmissive act.

25. Document according to one of the preceding claims, with an integrated electronic circuit (114) for performing a kryptographi- see protocol and for driving the optical element, if a

Condition of the cryptographic protocol is met.

26. Document according to claim 25, comprising an optically readable zone (164) containing optically readable data, wherein the security feature is embodied as an optical memory in which the data, a ciphertext of the data, a check digit of the data or a hash value the data is stored.

27. The document of claim 25 or 26, comprising an electronic memory (170) for storing electronically readable data, wherein an external Access to the electronically readable data by an external reader (112) is enabled by the integrated electronic circuit only when the cryptographic protocol has been successfully performed.

28. Document according to one of the preceding claims 24 to 27, wherein the cryptographic protocol for performing a basic access control and / or an extended access control is formed.

29. Document according to one of the preceding claims, wherein it is a value or security document, in particular a travel or identity document, a smart card, a credential, a means of payment or the like.

A document reading device (100) as claimed in any one of the preceding claims including means (118, 172) for initiating the switching of the optical element (108) between the first and second states to provide optical access to the security feature of the document ,

31. A reader according to claim 30, comprising an optical sensor (124) for automatically detecting the security feature.

32. A reader according to claim 30 or 31, comprising means (172) for carrying out a cryptographic protocol and means (120, 124) for collecting data from the security feature, the data being used to perform the cryptographic protocol.

33. A reader according to claim 30, 31 or 32, wherein it is a reading device for a valuable or security document, in particular a machine-readable travel or identity document, a chip card, a credential or the like.

34. A method for reading a security feature of a document (100) according to one of the preceding claims 1 to 29, comprising the following steps: Coupling energy into the document to switch the optical element between the first and second states,

- Optical detection of the security feature.