EP2686173A1

EP2686173A1 - Security element having a 3d color effect and verification method and verification device for such a security element

Info

Publication number: EP2686173A1
Application number: EP12709584.2A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Andreas Frank; Thorsten Meyer
Original assignee: Bundesdruckerei GmbH
Current assignee: Bundesdruckerei GmbH
Priority date: 2011-03-14
Filing date: 2012-03-12
Publication date: 2014-01-22
Anticipated expiration: 2032-03-12
Also published as: DE102011005518A1; WO2012123407A1; EP2686173B1

Abstract

The invention relates to security element (2) for causing a 3D color effect, comprising graphical information (3), which comprises at least one first information portion (3-1) and one second information portion (3-2), wherein the first information portion and the second information portion have different spectral distributions in the remission spectrum and/or transmission spectrum for broadband excitation by electromagnetic radiation, wherein the first information portion (3-1) and the second information portion (3-2) are designed in such a way that the respective remission spectrum and/or transmission spectrum thereof is dominated by a spectral distribution of a spectral color. The invention further relates to a method for verifying the security element and a verification device (20).

Description

Security element with a 3D color effect as well as verification procedures and

Verification device for such a security element

The invention relates to security elements for value and / or

Security documents and in particular with security elements which are colored and can be optically verified.

From the prior art, a number of security elements are known that can be optically verified. Security elements in this case are those entities which have at least one feature which complicates and / or prevents copying, falsifying, duplicating or the like of an object on which this entity is attached or in which this entity is integrated. Items that have at least one security feature or security element are called security documents. If these additionally embody a value, these are also referred to as value documents. Examples of security documents include, for example, passports, identity cards, driving licenses, access cards, but also labels and tickets, to name only a few. Security documents, which additionally embody a value and are therefore also referred to as value documents, include, for example, banknotes, postage stamps, tax stamps, vouchers, shares, to name only a few as well. A precise delineation of the group of value documents is difficult, since, for example, bank or credit cards usually embody no value directly, but they allow a disposition of funds or the like.

As a rule, security elements only fulfill their function if there is a possibility of verifying their authenticity. This makes it possible to distinguish the true security elements from counterfeit or corrupted security elements or copied security elements. Forgers often value and / or security documents are forged in such a way that the associated security elements are imitated or emulated as well as possible. Such counterfeits are also referred to as simulataneous counterfeits because they initially give the impression that the correct security element is present in the value and / or security document. Only with a closer verification of the

Security element is then to be found that it is a falsification or other type of imitation. Particularly suitable are security elements that can be verified by humans with the aid of simple aids, but also offer the possibility of mechanically verifying them with the aid of automated or semi-automated devices. In addition, it is often desirable to be able to associate information with a security element that can be secured by this security element itself in terms of falsification, imitation or other manipulation. Furthermore, it is desirable for a security element to give a pleasing aesthetic impression in order to give the valuable or security document a distinctive and / or aesthetically pleasing appearance.

The invention is therefore based on the technical problem of a novel

Security element for value and / or security documents to create.

Basic idea of the invention

The invention is based on the idea of creating a security element which comprises graphic information consisting of different pieces of information. At least two pieces of information are coded or formed so that they have a reflectance and / or transmission spectrum in a broadband excitation with electromagnetic radiation, for example, white light, which comprises a continuous spectrum, which by a spectral distribution of a

Spectral color is dominated. The two pieces of information are formed so that they are dominated by different spectral colors. Ideally, the reflectance and / or transmission spectra correspond to those of a spectral color. This means that the remission and / or transmission spectrum in each case only in one

contiguous narrow-band wavelength range, a remission or

Transmission has. If one looks at such a graphic information and selects for the two spectral colors such that in the optical spectrum a large

Wavelength distance, for example, a blue spectral color and a red spectral color, they are already shown differently in the human eye due to the different wavelengths, as a radiation propagation in the human eye is wavelength dependent. This effect can be intensified by using an optical device, by which the remitted and / or transmitted radiation is guided during the viewing and / or image acquisition, which comprises a Spatial propagation of electromagnetic radiation depends on the wavelength. If, for example, such a security element, which two

Containing information portions showing reflectance spectra of different spectral colors when illuminated with white, continuous light, viewed by means of a condenser lens, which shows a strong chromatic aberration, this leads to the fact that due to the different spatial propagation directions of light

different wavelength of a person's sense impression is awakened, that the different information shares that in the security element

are arranged side by side in the same plane, are formed in different planes. The human observer thus perceives the differently colored information portions as if they were arranged in different spatial planes, so that a three-dimensional effect, i. in addition to the areal

Expansion, a different spatial depth. This effect is referred to here as a 3D color effect. For verification, therefore, only a light source with a continuous white light spectrum and a magnifying glass is required, which has a certain chromatic aberration. Commercially available loupes or magnifying lamps have proven to be suitable, for example, include a magnifying glass with 3 diopters and surrounding the magnifying lamp, which is covered to a viewing side through a housing enclosing the magnifying glass and a lighting and

Viewing object whose security element is to be verified is open. An appropriate distance may be easily selected depending on a loupe diameter, a diopter value and a vision of a human observer.

Such a security element offers, in particular, a very good protection against appearances of fake color graphics are created with multi-color printing systems. Modern laser printers, which for example have a cyan-yellow-magenta color system, are able to reproduce the graphic information in such a way that, when viewed and / or reproduced without chromatic aberration, they have an identical image or identical optical image Impression causes, however, an optical element is inserted, which the propagation direction

Depending on the wavelength, for example, a lens with a strong

chromatic aberration, so will that of the original security element

caused 3D color effect is not observed or only greatly attenuated. The reason for this lies in the fact that in the information portion of its color impression by a Farbsubtraktion different colored area proportions is caused, has a reflectance and / or transmission spectrum, which not only shares a spectral color, but a plurality of spectral colors, which are now mapped due to the wavelength-dependent propagation direction influence by the optical element at different locations on the retina and a location- and wavelength-resolution detector ,

definitions

A spectral color is a color caused by light of a wavelength or a limited wavelength range. A spectral distribution of a spectral color thus has only one wavelength or a narrow one

Wavelength range has a non-zero intensity.

As excitation with electromagnetic radiation, the irradiation with

electromagnetic radiation, in particular with light understood.

Remission here is the process in which electromagnetic radiation emanates from an object which is irradiated with electromagnetic radiation. The radiation emitted by the object is regarded as remission radiation. Here, all physical processes are summarized in which the electromagnetic radiation does not pass through the object itself. The remission thus includes both the diffuse and directed scattering and / or reflection as well as luminescence radiation, which by the irradiation with

electromagnetic radiation is triggered. This only distinguishes the process in which the light passes through the object itself, which is referred to as transmission. A remission spectrum is the spectrum of the electromagnetic radiation emanating from the object in the remission. A transmission spectrum is the spectrum of those radiated by the

Subject is transmitted through, whose transmission spectrum is considered. The transmission spectrum may also comprise portions of a luminescence radiation which is excited on the basis of an irradiation of the object.

The expression that a spectrum is dominated by a spectral distribution of a spectral color means that the corresponding spectrum is more than half its Having intensity in a limited wavelength range, which causes a monochrome color impression of a spectral color in a viewer.

In particular, light is visible in the visible under electromagnetic radiation

Wavelength range, but also understood radiation in the infrared wavelength range and in the ultraviolet wavelength range. As white light is here

understood electromagnetic radiation with a continuous spectrum, which comprises the visible to a human observer wavelengths of the optical spectrum.

A contour information is that information that is determined by a contour of a graphic and / or graphical elements. In this case, contour information of graphical elements are identical if their contours or images of the contours can be converted into each other by a scaling operation.

The 3D color effect is the effect that is used on a human

Observer creates the impression, arranged in a plane next to each other

Information portions that cause different color impressions in the viewer would be arranged at different distances to the viewer. This is an effect that is not caused by perspective representations, but only due to the different colors of the information shares.

Preferred embodiments

In particular, a security element for a value and / or security document for producing a 3 D color effect is proposed, wherein the security element comprises graphic information and wherein the graphical information comprises at least a first information part and a second information part, wherein the first information part and the second Information share in a broadband excitation with electromagnetic radiation have different spectral distributions in the remission and / or transmission spectrum, wherein the invention provides that the first information portion and the second information portion are formed so that their remission and / or transmission spectrum in each case by a

Spectral distribution of a spectral color is dominated or are. For verification of a security element which has a 3D color effect, a method is proposed which comprises the steps: illuminating the

Safety elements with electromagnetic radiation, leading to the

Security element remitted or transmitted electromagnetic radiation by at least one optical device, which is a spatial spread of the

Electromagnetic radiation depends on the wavelength, captures and

Evaluate a wavelength-resolved graphical image of the security element.

Such a verification can be performed, for example, with a verification device for a security element with a 3D color effect of a security and / or security document, which comprises: a broadband electromagnetic

Radiation source for illuminating the security element, a detection device for detecting an optical image of the security element, wherein the

Detection device is formed, preferably at the same time, spatially spatially resolved to detect at least two different spectral channels, and at least one optical device which affects a spatial propagation of the electromagnetic radiation wavelength dependent and is arranged or can be arranged such that a remitted or transmitted by the security element electromagnetic radiation when capturing the image is guided by the at least one optical device, and an evaluation device for evaluating the captured image. For a human observer is a verification with the help of a broadband

Radiation source and an optical device, which influences a spatial propagation of the electromagnetic radiation wavelength dependent, for example, a chromatic aberration having magnifying glass, necessary to check whether the

different pieces of information appear to be arranged in different planes in the security element due to a 3-D color effect. If the verification is carried out by means of a verification device, the evaluation preferably comprises a comparison of the color values of a plurality of positions of the acquired image with expected color values for these positions. If the information components, as provided in the case of a genuine security element, are designed or applied to the security element in such a way that they each have a reflectance or transmission spectrum dominated by a spectral color, then the different information components corresponding to this spectral color and the associated wavelength only become one Mapped way. This means that a ray path of the radiation, which the an information component is formed, is determined by the wavelength of the spectral color, which dominates the respective remission or transmission spectrum. Is the

Information component formed so that it causes a metameric color impression to the corresponding spectral color when viewed, but has a remission or transmission spectrum that not only by a

Spectral color is dominated, the different spectral components along different imaging paths are imaged due to the wavelength-dependent optical device, so that the resulting images can be distinguished from each other. Checking the color values at different positions of the resulting image thus makes it possible to check whether it is a genuine security feature or a counterfeit security feature.

In a preferred embodiment of the security element, the first

Information component and the second information component coded by colorants, each having a reflectance spectrum and / or transmission spectrum, which is dominated when excited with white visible light through a spectral distribution of a spectral color in the visible wavelength range, wherein the first information component by a first spectral color and the second information component by a second spectral color are dominated.

The information components are preferably each designed so that they are perceived as a whole or constituents thereof as monochrome, areal regions with suitable excitation with electromagnetic radiation. Even lines or points that are perceived as homogeneously monochromatic, are here understood as areal areas.

A particularly clear 3D color effect is perceivable when the wavelengths of the spectral colors have a particularly large wavelength spacing. This is the case, for example, if the first spectral color lies in the blue wavelength range and the second spectral color lies in the red wavelength range or vice versa. When viewed through a large magnifying glass, for example, the portion of information perceived in blue is perceived to be closer to the viewer than the other

Information component whose spectral color lies in the red wavelength range.

According to their arrangement in the wavelength spectrum, the others

Spectral colors are perceived on levels in between. Of course it is it is possible to encode further pieces of information in such a way that their reflectance spectra are dominated by other spectral colors.

Further effects can be realized if the graphical information comprises at least a third information component which, when excitation with electromagnetic radiation in the non-visible wavelength range, in particular in the ultraviolet wavelength range, has a reflectance spectrum and / or a transmission spectrum which dominates by the spectral distribution of a third spectral color is. Preferably, the third spectral color is also in the visible wavelength range.

In a further embodiment, it is provided that the graphical information additionally comprises a fourth information component, which in the excitation with

electromagnetic radiation in the non-visible wavelength range, in particular in the ultraviolet wavelength range, a remission spectrum and / or

Transmission spectrum, which is dominated by the spectral distribution of a fourth spectral color and the first information portion and the second

Information content in the excitation with electromagnetic radiation in the non-visible wavelength range show no or almost no remission or transmission in the visible wavelength range and the third and fourth information component in the excitation with white visible light no or almost no remission or white remission and / or no or show almost no transmission or a white transmission in the visible wavelength range. A white transmission is considered to be a transmission in which the white light is transmitted almost unattenuated or almost equally attenuated over the entire spectrum. This means that the transmission in the visible wavelength range is completely or almost wavelength-independent.

When considering such a security element under white light, the first and the second information portion are visible, which show a 3D optical effect. If, however, the security element is viewed under excitation with non-visible electromagnetic radiation, for example UV radiation, then the third and the fourth information component are perceptible, which also show a 3D color effect. It is essential here that the third and the fourth spectral color must differ from one another. Otherwise, no relative depth effect by a human

Viewer perceived. In one embodiment, it is provided that the first information component and the third information component comprise the same contour information. If the first and the third spectral color are different, the one represented by the contour information appears

Information to change their distance relative to the viewer when the types of excitation between white light excitation and non-visible radiation excitation, such as UV excitation, is changed. For example, the second and the fourth

Spectral color to be the same spectral color or nearly the same spectral color. This spatial movement of a contour in human perception taking place during a change of excitation can be further assisted by the fact that a planar expansion, i. Scaling the contour, making the contour larger in that portion of information whose spectral color is perceived as being closer to the viewer.

An embodiment therefore provides that an extension of the same

Contour information in the third information portion has a greater extent than in the first information component, provided that the third spectral color when viewed by an optical device, which influences a propagation of electromagnetic radiation wavelength dependent, as further in the foreground than the first spectral color is perceived, and otherwise a has smaller extent in the third information portion.

In a further embodiment it is provided that a wavelength difference of the first spectral color and the second spectral color is different from a wavelength difference of the third spectral color and the fourth spectral color. For example, it may be provided that the first information component and the third information component comprise the same contour information and the second and the fourth information component comprise a different contour information different from the first information component, which is identical in the second and fourth information component. In such a case, for example, the first information component in the blue spectral color and the second information component in the red spectral color can be perceived by white light excitation and, after a change of excitation, the third information component is perceived in red and the fourth information component in blue. In this case, the contour information changes its planes when the excitations change. Particularly preferably, the various information portions are applied by means of colorants in a plane of a security and / or value document by printing technology. Thus, it is easily possible to integrate individualized and / or personalized information shares in the security element. As individualizing information shares such information is considered, which can be assigned to an object in a group of similar objects individually. Personalizing is the information that can be assigned to a person. Personalizing information includes, for example, a date of birth, a name, a birthplace, just to name a few. For example, a serial number of an ID card or a banknote can be individualizing.

In an automated verification, it is provided in one embodiment that, during the evaluation, a spectrally resolved contour recognition is carried out and the determined contours, the positions of the determined contours and / or their contours

Intensity ratios in the individual spectral channels with expected contours, positions and / or intensity ratios are compared. This can be a

Comparison of the intensity ratios within a spectral channel between different contours caused by different information components or between channels for contours that can be assigned to one and the same information component. Since optical sensors are usually used to capture images, which can only distinguish a limited number of spectral channels, generally three channels for blue, green and red, for example, the detection areas of these channels overlap. Light of a spectral color is thus usually in at least two spectral channels of a location and

wavelength-selective sensor are detected. However, if the remitted radiation of an information component is one dominated by a spectral color, the structures produced by that information in the different channels will produce edges only at those positions to which that spectral color is imaged. However, the remission spectrum has several

Spectral components, it will be detectable in the different color channels at different positions in the image edges of the same information, since the different spectral components are mapped differently in terms of their position. In this way, reliable verification by machine is possible. In order to enable such an evaluation also for graphical information, which are not previously known to the verification device, it may be provided, a

Reference image of the security element with the same or a comparable imaging geometry to capture, but the at least one optical

Device which influences the geometric propagation of the electromagnetic radiation wavelength-dependent, is not arranged in the beam path and the expected positions of contours and / or intensity ratios of the spectral channels of the detection device and / or the expected color values based on the reference image and a knowledge of the at least one optical device be calculated. The reference image is thus evaluated, at least with regard to such information shares, which are assigned to specific color values, as if this information were coded by means of colorants which reproduce this information by means of the corresponding spectral color with suitable excitation. Based on the knowledge of the imaging properties of the at least one optical element, it is then possible to calculate the image which is detected when the at least one optical device is positioned in the beam path. A comparison of the like

recorded image with the calculated figure thus allows a

Verification. If the corresponding information of the at least two selected color values is not coded by colorants which show a reflectance spectrum which is dominated by the corresponding spectral colors, deviations from the calculated image result for the image which is detected with the optical device in the beam path.

An evaluation device can be designed accordingly for the verifications described above. Preferably, an evaluation device is designed and implemented by means of a program-controlled computing unit.

To allow a quick detection and no moving parts in the

Verifikationsvorrichtung vorzuhalten, this can be designed so that two matched or mutually calibrated detection devices are provided, which are arranged so that the one wavelength-dependent propagation-influencing optical device only in the beam path of the one

Detection device is arranged. In other embodiments, it may be provided that the at least one optical device is movable, for example pivotable, into the beam path. An embodiment can be designed such that movements of the at least one optical device in and / or out of the beam path can be carried out automatically.

Likewise, verification devices are conceivable in which the document is detected by means of different detection devices, which at the same time perform a detection, but of different sections of the security element and / or sequentially capture the same part of the security element, only in the beam path of one of the detection devices, the at least one optical device is arranged, which influences a wavelength-dependent propagation of the electromagnetic radiation. This may be for example a lens with a chromatic aberration. Other embodiments of the at least one optical device include a prism, a grating, or the like.

The invention is based on preferred embodiments below

Reference to a drawing explained in more detail. Hereby show:

Fig. 1 a is a schematic plan view of a security document with a

Safety element;

Fig. 1 b is a schematic representation for explaining a verification of a

Security elements according to FIG. 1 a and a 3 D color effect;

FIG. 2 is a schematic representation of a verification device; FIG.

3a is a representation of a remission spectrum, which by a

Spectral line is dominated;

3b shows a remission spectrum, which in a human observer causes a color similar to the reflectance spectrum of FIG. 3a, but is not dominated by a spectral line; 4a shows another security document with a security element in a

Exposure with white light;

FIG. 4b shows the security document according to FIG. 4a under illumination with UV light; FIG.

5a a security document with a security element when excited with

White light; and

Fig. 5b, the security element according to Fig. 5a at a lighting with UV light.

In Fig. 1 a, a security document 1 is shown schematically, which is a

Includes security element 2, which shows a 3D color effect. The security element comprises graphic information 3, which comprises a first information component 3-1, a second information component 3-2 and also another information component 3-5. The different pieces of information 3-1, 3-2, 3-5 of the graphic information 3 are with different colorants, for example, on the security document

applied. The security document may be, for example, a

Paper document or a plastic-based document. The different information shares are all formed in one document level. It is understood by those skilled in the art that the individual pieces of information 3-1, 3-2, 3-5 not on the surface of the security document 1, but also in the interior of the

Security document 1 may be formed. Preferably, the

Information shares in all embodiments described here applied by printing technology. An arrangement in a plane exists even if individual

Information shares are printed on top of each other. Furthermore, it is possible to print different pieces of information in one printing operation. Likewise, several can

Information items are printed or otherwise applied together with a printing ink or composition comprising different colorants. For example, one colorant shows a remission in the case of white light excitation, the other colorant on UV excitation. An information portion may comprise several components, all of which have the same remission and / or transmission spectrum. The individual pieces of information are each formed homogeneously monochrome, i. their constituents, when suitably excited, are flat homogeneous monochromatic areas

perceived. In this case, also points or lines that are perceptible as such, considered as flat. Also a flat, homogeneously monochrome perceived Area can be created by printing technology from pixels whose extent is below the perceptual limit, as this is common for example in digital printing processes (laser printing, inkjet printing, etc.).

The different pieces of information 3-1, 3-2, 3-5 are produced with colorants which have different reflectance or transmission spectra at a broadband excitation of the electromagnetic radiation, for example with white light, which has a continuous spectrum in the range of about 400 nm to about 800 nm. The individual pieces of information each have a homogeneous uniform color. The colorants are chosen so that the reflectance or transmission spectra of the individual information portions 3-1, 3-2, 3-5 are each dominated by a distribution spectrum of a spectral color. A spectral distribution of a spectral color has a significant intensity only in a narrowly limited wavelength range. In the illustrated embodiment, the first information portion 3-1 is formed, for example, with colorants having a reflectance spectrum represented by the spectral color blue, i. is dominated by intensity in the wavelength range of for example 440 nm. The second information component 3-2 is configured, for example, with colorants whose reflectance spectrum is dominated by the spectral color red, for example at a wavelength of approximately 680 nm. The further

Informationsanteil 3-5 is formed for example by colorants whose

Reflectance spectrum by the spectral color yellow, for example in

Wavelength range of about 570 nm, is dominated. For a human observer, the security document in white light illumination without the aid of

As for the tools, the graphical information 3 is one of the plural

Information portions 3-1, 3-2, 3-5 are perceived existing graphics, which in a plane, i. at a distance from the viewer, are arranged. Will that be

Security element 2, however, with the aid of, for example, a large magnifying glass, ie a converging lens, viewed which has a chromatic aberration, the different information components according to human perception seem to be arranged in different planes with respect to a viewing distance. The first piece of information 3-1, which causes a blue color impression, is perceived as being closer to the viewer than the second piece of information 3-2, which causes a red color impression. The further information portion 3-5, which causes a yellow color impression, is perceived in a plane in between. This means that the viewer has the first piece of information 3-1 as the foreground located, the second information portion 3-2 as in the background and perceives the further information portion 3-5 as located in the middle ground.

This will be explained again by way of example with reference to FIG. 1 b. Schematically illustrated are the eyes of the observer 1 1, which view the security document 1 by an optical device 12, which a propagation direction

electromagnetic radiation, in particular of light, in the visible, infrared or ultraviolet wavelength range influenced wavelength dependent. The optical device 12 may be formed, for example, as a converging lens, which shows a chromatic aberration. This means that a focal length of the condenser lens is different for the different spectral colors. Thus, the different information components lying in an object plane are imaged differently on the retina of the eyes of the observer depending on the wavelength. Above the eyes, the perceived pieces of information 13-1, 13-2 and 13-5 are shown in phantom, as they are perceived in different levels by a viewer. To the top, the perceived distance from

Viewer.

FIG. 2 schematically shows a verification device for automated verification of a security element with a 3D color effect. The

Verification device 20 has a document receiver 21 on which a document is placed during verification. In the illustrated embodiment, the document holder 21 is formed of a transparent at least in the visible wavelength range material, such as glass or Plexiglas. In order to allow a transmission of electromagnetic radiation in the UV range, the support can also be made of a quartz glass. The verification device 21 further comprises an optical device 22, which has a propagation direction

Electromagnetic radiation during the passage influenced wavelength dependent. The optical device can be constructed for example as a converging lens with chromatic aberration, but also as a prism or complex of different prisms.

Likewise, optical gratings can be used as an optical device. The

Verification device 20 additionally includes a white light spectrum generating excitation source 23. This generates a continuous or near continuous emission spectrum whose light is white from a human observer

is perceived. Furthermore, the verification device comprises an imaging Detection device 24, which spatially and spectrally resolved an image of the

Security items on the security document are captured during this

is illuminated, for example, with electromagnetic radiation of the excitation source 23. Remitted radiation passes through the optical device 22 and is then detected by the detection device 24. For example, a CMOS chip of a color camera can be used as detection device 24. Depending on the wavelength of the individual information components, these are mapped differently on the detection device 24. This means that a position does not depend exclusively on the position of an information element in the plane of the security document, but additionally on its color. However, it is essential that the

Reflectance spectrum, or as explained later, the transmission spectrum is dominated by a spectral color.

In Fig. 3a, a remission spectrum is shown by way of example, which by a

Spectral color, for example, the spectral color in the yellow wavelength range is dominated. It can be seen an intensity in a narrow wavelength range. A comparable color impression is in a human observer through

Remission spectrum caused, which is determined by a red and green spectral component, as shown in Fig. 3b by way of example. Without consideration by an optical device which makes a wavelength-dependent influencing of the propagation direction of electromagnetic radiation

Information shares that differ only in terms of their remission spectrum, shown identically.

However, if an optical device which influences a wavelength-dependent propagation is used, as shown in FIG. 2, otherwise identical security elements differ, one information component in one case being the remission spectrum according to FIG. 3a and in another case the remission spectrum Fig. 3b shows. While in the case where the information share the

3a shows that only one imaging geometry exists, in the case in which the information component shows the reflectance spectrum according to FIG. 3b, two different imaging paths are formed, which are marked by the spectral colors red and green. Thus, on the detection device, different images occur when these are evaluated spectrally resolved. The information captured in the red and green spectral range are offset in this case, whereas in the former case they do not have contorted contours of the former

Have information share.

An evaluation of the image acquired by means of the remission / transmission is carried out in an evaluation device 25 which, for example, by means of a

Microprocessor is formed, which executes a stored in a memory program code.

For example, if the security document is made of plastic, it may be desirable to verify the security element in transmitted light. For this situation, the verification device alternatively or additionally has another

Excitation source 26, which is for example also designed as a white light source that emits a continuous wavelength spectrum in the visible wavelength range. In this case, the transmission spectrum is evaluated.

Further effects can be realized if, alternatively or additionally, an excitation is carried out in the non-visible wavelength range. For this purpose, the

Verification device on a UV light source 27. The optical device 22, which influences the propagation of electromagnetic radiation as a function of wavelength, is coupled to an actuator 28 so that the device 22 can be removed from the beam path and moved back into the beam path in order to record reference images without a wavelength-dependent spatial propagation influence.

With reference to FIGS. 4a and 4b, it will be explained how an alternative effect can be realized by an alternative use of the excitation source 23 and the UV light source 27, in which contour-like or contour-like information portions are perceived at different levels of excitation in different planes.

FIG. 4 a shows a schematic plan view of the information portions visible during white light excitation. A first portion of information 3-1 is once again designed with colorants which exhibit a reflectance spectrum which is dominated by the spectral color blue. The second information component 3-2 is formed by colorants, which exhibit a reflectance spectrum in the case of white light excitation, which is indicated by a red

Spectral color is dominated. Another portion of information 3-5 is formed, for example, by colorants, their reflectance spectrum by a green spectral color is dominated. When viewed through an optical device, which is a

Depending on the wavelength of the propagation direction, the components of the first information portion 3-1 are located in the foreground and the second

Information share 3-2 perceived as being in the background. Between them are the components of the further information share 3-5. If one changes the excitation from the white light excitation to a UV excitation, then one perceives the information components shown in FIG. 4b, which are shown schematically in plan view. In terms of their contours, a third piece of information 3-3 equals the first

Information share 3-1 and a fourth piece of information 3-4 the second

Information share 3-2. Another piece of information 3-6 is similar to the rest

Information share 3-5. The third information part 3-3, the fourth information part 3-4 and the other information part 3-6 are coded with colorants which show no remission when excited by visible light. Upon excitation with UV light, however, they show a reflectance spectrum, which is dominated by a spectral color. The third information portion 3-3 is red by the spectral color, the fourth

Information portion 3-4 dominated by the spectral color blue and the other information portion 3-6 by the spectral color green. The occurring in UV light excitation

Luminescence is also understood here as a remission. The colorants of the first

Information portion 3-1, the second information portion 3-2 and the other

Informational portion 3-5 are formed with colorants that show no remission upon excitation with UV light. When viewing the security element during UV light excitation, the viewer thus perceives the individual information portions in different levels. The components of the third information component 3-3, which in terms of their geometric configuration are similar to those of the first information component 3-1, are perceived as being located in the background, whereas the fourth information component 3-4, which in its contour is similar to the second information component 3-2, to be perceived as being in the foreground. The other

Information share 3-6 with UV excitation as well as the further information portion 3-5 with white light excitation is perceived as being in the middle ground. In this embodiment, a wavelength difference of the first spectral color and the second spectral color is different from a wavelength difference of the third spectral color and the fourth spectral color. Here the sign changes. The different contours thus seem to change their relative position with respect to a distance to the viewer when changing the excitation. This effect can be enhanced by For example, a size scaling of individual contours is additionally performed.

The views of a security document are again enclosed in FIGS. 5a and 5b

White light excitation and shown schematically in UV light excitation. While the components of the third information component are smaller in terms of their areal extent relative to the components of the first information component, the fourth information component is enlarged in comparison to the second information component. When changing the wavelength for a contour from blue to red thus finds a

Reduction and a change from red to blue according to an enlargement instead. As a result, the "dynamic" 3D color effect when changing the excitation is further enhanced for a human observer. However, the contour information does not change.

The device shown in Fig. 2 can also without the detection and

Evaluation device can be used by a human for verification. In order to be able to observe a "dynamic 3 D color effect" in transmission, a further UV light source can be arranged adjacent to the further excitation source.

Combinations of incident and transmitted light irradiation are also possible, e.g. the change from white light to UV light can be accompanied by the change from an evaluation of the reflectance spectrum to an evaluation of the transmission spectrum.

In yet another embodiment, for example, a magnifying lamp is used for verification: this includes, for example, a converging lens with 3 diopters and a diameter of about 15 cm. The condenser lens is enclosed in a housing. In the housing, a circular-shaped converging lens is almost complete

enclosing light source, for example in the form of a fluorescent tube or a light bulb arranged. The housing is open to an object side, so that the security element to be verified is illuminated by means of the light source, to a viewing side the light source is shielded by the housing. As a suitable distance for viewing and observing the 3 D color effect, there has been a lens to security distance of about 19.5 cm. The magnifying glass can also be used for verification without the built-in light source. Other embodiments additionally or alternatively include other light sources, for example IR or UV light sources. Light sources, or a combination of different light sources that can individually or collectively illuminate the security element.

For a smaller magnifying glass with a diameter of about 9 cm, an optimal distance of 16.5 cm was found.

It is understood that only exemplary embodiments are described here. The features of the individual embodiments may be combined with one another to carry out the invention.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1 security document

2 security element

3 graphic information

3-1 first piece of information

3-2 second information share

3-3 third piece of information

3-4 fourth information share

3-5 more information share

3-6 other information share

1 1 eyes

12 optical device

13-1 perceived information shares

13-2 perceived information shares

13-5 perceived information shares

20 Verification device

21 document recording

22 optical device

23 excitation source (white light)

24 detection device (spectrally resolved / spatially resolved)

25 evaluation device

26 additional excitation source (white light)

27 UV light source

28 actor

Claims

claims

1 . Security element (2) for a value and / or security document (1) for

Producing a 3 D color effect comprising graphical information (3) comprising at least a first information portion (3-1) and a second information portion (3-2), wherein the first and second information portions are at a broadband excitation with electromagnetic radiation

different spectral distributions in the remission and / or

Have transmission spectrum,

characterized in that the first information portion (3-1) and the second information portion (3-2) are formed so that their reflectance and / or transmission spectra are each dominated by a spectral distribution of a spectral color.

2. Security element (2) according to claim 1, characterized in that the first information component (3-1) and the second information component (3-2) are encoded by colorants, each having a reflectance spectrum and / or transmission spectrum, which when excited with white visible light, through one

Spectral distribution of a spectral color in the visible wavelength range is dominated, wherein the first information component (3-1) by a first

Spectral color and the second information portion (3-2) by a second

Spectral color are dominated.

3. Security element (2) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the graphical information (3) comprises at least a third information portion (3-1), which upon excitation with electromagnetic radiation in the non-visible wavelength range, a remission spectrum and / or transmission spectrum which is dominated by the spectral distribution of a third spectral color.

4. security element (2) according to claim 3, characterized in that the

graphical information (3) additionally comprises a fourth information component (3-4), which has a reflectance spectrum and / or transmission spectrum when excited with electromagnetic radiation in the non-visible wavelength range, which by the spectral distribution of a fourth spectral color is dominated and the first information share (3-1) and the second

Information content (3-2) in the excitation with electromagnetic radiation in the non-visible wavelength range no or almost none

Show remission / transmission in the visible wavelength range, and the third and fourth information portions in the white visible light excitation show no or almost no remission or white remission and / or no or almost no transmission or white transmission in the visible wavelength range.

A security element (2) according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that the first information part and the third information part (3-3) comprise the same contour information and an extension of the same contour information in the third information part (3-3) has a larger extent than in the first one Information portion (3-1), provided that the third spectral color in a

Viewing by an optical device (22) which influences wavelength-wise propagation of electromagnetic radiation as being more prominent than the first spectral color, and otherwise having a smaller extension in the third information portion (3-3).

Security element (2) according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized

characterized in that the various information shares are applied by means of colorants in a plane printing technology.

A method of verifying a security element having a 3D color effect, comprising the steps of:

Illuminating the security element (2) with broadband electromagnetic radiation,

Guiding the electromagnetic radiation reflected and / or transmitted to the security element by at least one optical device (22) which effects a spatial propagation of the electromagnetic radiation

influenced by wavelength;

Detecting and evaluating a wavelength-resolved graphical image of the security element (2).

The method of claim 7, wherein evaluating comprises comparing the color values of a plurality of positions of the captured image with expected color values for those positions.

9. The method according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that at

Evaluate a spectrally resolved contour recognition is performed and the determined contours, the positions of the determined contours and their

Intensity ratios in the individual spectral channels with expected

Contours, positions and intensity ratios are compared.

10. The method according to any one of claims 7 to 9, characterized in that a reference image of the security element with the same or a

However, the at least one optical device (22) is not arranged in the beam path, and the expected positions of contours and / or intensity ratios of the spectral channels of the detection device (24) and / or the erwateten

Color values are calculated on the basis of the reference image and a knowledge of the at least one optical device.

1 1. Verification device (20) for a security element (1) with a 3D color effect of a security and / or security document comprising a

broadband electromagnetic radiation source for illuminating the

Security elements, a detection device (23) for detecting an optical image of the security element, wherein the detection device (23) is formed, preferably at the same time, spatially spatially resolved to detect at least two different spectral channels, and at least one optical device, which is a spatial propagation of the electromagnetic

Radiation is dependent on the wavelength and is arranged or can be arranged such that an electromagnetic radiation reflected or transmitted by the security element (2) is passed through the at least one optical device upon detection of the image, and evaluation device for evaluating the acquired image.