Patent Grant
9796204
This application claims priority based on an International Application filed under the Patent Cooperation Treaty, PCT/EP2012/071310, filed on Oct. 26, 2012, and German Application No. DE 102011117044.1, filed on Oct. 27, 2011.
The invention relates to a security element and to a security document equipped with such a security element, to a method for producing such a security element, and to a transfer foil having such a security element.
There are known security elements, for the identification marking of security documents, by which it is sought to improve the protection against falsification. Some of these security elements make use of an arrangement of microlenses, such as, e.g., the multilayer body described in the international patent application WO 2007/087984 A1. Frequently, however, in unfavorable light conditions, the variations of the optical appearance that can be produced with these can be perceived only with difficulty, and are not sufficiently distinctive for the “man on the street”.
DE 10 2008 033 716 B3 describes a value document or security document, having a document body, realized in which there is a light conducting structure that is realized for conducting light by means of total reflection in its boundary layers. In this case, the conducting of light is rendered possible in a plane that is substantially parallel to a top side of the document body.
The object of the invention is now to provide a flexible security element that exhibits optical effects that are easily perceived by all and that, at the same time, are surprising or unexpected, and therefore easily striking.
The object is achieved by a security element, wherein the security element has a viewing side and a back side that is opposite the latter, wherein the security element comprises at least one luminous layer that can emit or provide light, and at least one mask layer that, when the security element is viewed from the viewing side, is arranged in front of the at least one luminous layer, wherein the at least one mask layer has at least one opaque region and at least two transparent openings, and wherein the at least two transparent openings has a substantially higher transmittance than the at least one opaque region in respect of light emitted or provided by the at least one luminous layer, preferably a transmittance that is at least 20%, particularly preferably at least 50% higher. The object is additionally achieved by a security document, in particular a banknote, a monetary instrument or a paper document, having at least one such security element, wherein the security element can be viewed from its viewing side. The object is also achieved by a method for producing a security element, comprising the following steps: providing a flexible, multilayer foil body having at least one luminous layer that can emit or provide light, and having at least one mask layer that, when the security element is viewed from the viewing side, is arranged in front of the at least one luminous layer; and realizing at least two transparent openings in the at least one mask layer, with the result that the at least one mask layer has at least one opaque region and at least two transparent openings, wherein the at least two transparent openings has a substantially higher transmittance than the at least one opaque region in respect of light emitted or provided by the at least one luminous layer, preferably a transmittance that is at least 20%, particularly preferably at least 50% higher. The object is further achieved by a transfer foil having at least one security element according to one of claims 1 to 34, wherein the at least one security element is arranged on, and can be separated from, a carrier foil of the transfer foil.
The particular optical effects that can be created in particular by the interaction of a self-luminous luminous layer, i.e. a luminous layer that generates and radiates light, or a luminous layer that provides light (e.g. a backlit transparent layer) and a mask layer that covers the luminous layer can thus be used in a security element. In this case, these easily perceived optical effects are clearly visible when the luminous layer provides light or, in an active state, emits light, and are invisible, or scarcely visible, when the luminous layer does not provide light or, in an inactive state, does not emit light. A challenge in this case consists, inter alia, in keeping the thickness of such a security element as small as possible, so as to enable the security element to be arranged on or in a security document in a manner suitable for practical application.
The optical impression of the security element is thus determined by the design of the at least one luminous layer and/or the distribution of the transparent openings of the at least two arrangements and the at last one opaque region.
Owing to the arrangement of the layers, the light relevant to the desired effect preferably passes through the security element substantially in a direction perpendicular to the top side of the security element. There is no need for total reflection at any boundary surfaces whatsoever.
The mask layer allows light, provided or emitted by the luminous layer, to pass considerably better through its transparent openings than through its opaque regions. It is advantageous if the at least one opaque region blocks, or at least substantially weakens, light provided or emitted by the at least one luminous layer, and preferably has a transmittance of at most 20%, more preferably of at most 10%, and yet more preferably of at most 5%, and the at least two transparent openings substantially allow the passage of light provided or emitted by the at least one luminous layer, and preferably have a transmittance of at least 50%. Preferably, the opaque regions of the mask layer are completely non-transparent to light, i.e. having a transmittance of at most 5%, while the transparent openings allow light to pass almost unweakened, i.e. having a transmittance of at least 70%. Preferably, the openings are realized as window openings in the mask layer, i.e. as holes through the mask layer.
The security element is preferably a security element for the identification marking of a security document and increasing the security against falsification of the latter, in particular of a banknote, monetary instrument, check, taxation revenue stamp, postage stamp, visa, motor vehicle document, ticket or paper document, or of identification documents (ID documents), in particular a passport or ID card, identity card, driving license, bank card, credit card, access control pass, health insurance card, or of a commercial product, for the purpose of increasing the security against falsification and/or for the purpose of authentication and/or traceability (track & trace) of the commercial product or any chip cards and adhesive labels.
Preferably, the at least one luminous layer that is able to emit light is realized as a self-luminous luminous layer. A self-luminous luminous layer in this case is constituted by a luminous layer that emits light and, in particular, acts as an energy converter, which converts a primary energy into light energy. In this case, the primary energy used may be, in particular, an electric current, heat, a chemical decomposition process, or electromagnetic radiation that differs from the wavelength of the emitted light (for example, UV light, infrared light or microwave radiation).
Moreover, it is also possible for the luminous layer that can provide light to be a layer by which light that is incident on the back side is conducted to the mask layer. Thus, it may also be provided that the light source is not part of the security element and is provided, for example, by a light source of a body on to which the security element is laminated, or is constituted by an external light source on to which the security element is placed or against the back-light of which the security element is viewed. For this purpose, the luminous layer preferably has one or more transparent layers, which also may be realized as waveguides or light conductors. In the simplest case, the luminous layer thus has a transparent layer that is in direct contact with the back side of the security element, or beneath which a through-window is provided in the security element. The luminous layer may be, for example, a layer of a hot stamping foil, for example a protective varnish or, also, the replication layer itself. In this case, also, it is particularly advantageous if the luminous layer has one or more luminous elements. In this case, the luminous elements are constituted by transparent regions configured according to the shape of the luminous elements, and/or by regions of the luminous layer that are provided with light conductors, or waveguides, and that are preferably surrounded by opaque regions of the luminous layer.
It is possible for the at least one luminous layer to have a self-luminous display element that, in particular, converts electrical energy into light energy. Preferably, the luminous layer is composed of one or more luminous elements, which are each realized as self-luminous display elements. These self-luminous display elements may be an LED, in particular an OLED, or an LEEC, or QLED or back-lit LCD (OLED=Organic LED; LEEC=Light Emitting Electrochemical Cell; QLED=Quantum Dot Light Emitting Device; LCD=Liquid Crystal Display). Alternatively, the self-luminous display elements may be realized on the basis of electroluminescence. This includes thick-film, or powder, electroluminescence, thin-film electroluminescence and single-crystal electroluminescence. In particular, the display elements may be as electroluminescent foil (EL foil).
It is possible for an electrode of the display element to serve as the at least one mask layer or as an opaque intermediate layer, arranged between the at least one luminous layer and the at least one mask layer, that has at least one arrangement of translucent openings. This makes it possible to generate, for example, a periodicity in the light source. Preferably, it is a metal electrode, in particular a metallic reflection layer of an OVD. For example, such a metallic reflection layer is composed of aluminum, silver, gold or copper. A periodicity, or a grid, in particular a moiré grid, or a grid in the form of a revealer pattern, can be realized in a variety of ways on a full-area luminous OLED. One possibility is to incorporate an insulator layer into the OLED, wherein regions of the OLED that are coated with this insulator layer are not luminous, whereas regions that are left free are luminous. Alternatively, it is also possible to modify one of the transport layers, in particular the electron, or hole, transport layer, in particular by irradiation or action of a chemical, with the result that the transport properties are destroyed locally. This likewise has the effect that the treated regions are no longer luminous.
It is possible for the at least one luminous layer to have a luminescent display element, which can be excited by another light source to give light. Fluorescent and/or phosphorescent materials, which absorb incident light and re-radiate it in the same or a different wavelength range, immediately and/or in a time-staggered manner, may be present as luminescent elements. The other light source may be realized as a constituent part of the security element. Alternatively, it is an external light source, by which the security element is irradiated, such as e.g. a UV lamp (UV=ultraviolet).
There are various possibilities for supplying energy to a self-luminous luminous layer, such that it gives light. In one embodiment, the luminous layer is excited to give light by means of electrical energy from an energy source. The luminous layer thus has a display element that converts electrical energy into light energy. In particular, piezoelectric and photovoltaic current sources, batteries, capacitors, super-capacitors, etc. may be cited as preferred energy sources for the luminous layer. The energy may also be extracted from an electric field via an appropriate antenna, e.g. an RFID antenna. Preferably, these energy sources are integrated into the security element or the security document, or connected to it via an energy line. As an alternative to this, the energy source may also be arranged outside of the security element/document, e.g. in an external reader. In the case of an electrical energy source, there is a choice of galvanic, capacitive or inductive transmission of electrical energy. In the case of an external energy source, the security document may be brought, for example, into a corresponding local electric or magnetic or electromagnetic field, in order thus to enable energy to be transmitted capacitively and/or inductively, in particular wirelessly. An example of this is a mobile device such as, e.g., a smartphone, having a so-called NFC device (NFC=Near Field Communication).
It is preferred that a first optical security feature of the security element be provided by a light pattern that is shown by the mask layer as a result of the latter differentially transmitting the light emitted by the at least one luminous layer when the security element is viewed from the viewing side.
When the luminous layer is in the active state, i.e. when the luminous layer is providing or emitting light, a viewer viewing the security element from its viewing side perceives the light pattern in the region of the mask layer, the light pattern being constituted by the darker, opaque regions and lighter, transparent openings. Since such a light pattern is also clearly visible in unfavorable light conditions, such a security element provides a reliable and easily checked security feature that offers protection against falsifications, e.g. of banknotes or ID cards or commercial products. With an appropriate design of the luminous and/or mask to layer, which of the transparent openings in the mask layer the light then passes through to reach the eye of the viewer depends on the viewing angle at which the viewer views the security element. The design of the light pattern is thus dependent on the viewing angle.
According to a preferred design of the invention, the at least one opaque region of the at least one mask layer provides a second optical security feature of the security element, when the security element is viewed from the viewing side. The protection against falsification of the security document is thus not delimited solely by the light effects of the luminous and mask layers, but extended by a further security feature that exists independently of the light effects of the luminous and mask layers.
Preferably, the opaque region has an OVD and/or a printed layer (OVD=Optically Variable Device). Standard OVDs are holograms, in particular reflection holograms, Kinegram®, volume holograms, thin-film interference filters, diffractive structures such as, e.g., blazed structures, linear gratings, cross gratings, hexagonal gratings, asymmetrical or symmetrical grating structures, zero-order diffraction structures, moth-eye structures or anisotropic or isotropic matt structures, and optically variable printing colors or inks, so-called OVI® (OVI=Optically Variable Inks), which mostly contain optically variable pigments and/or dyes, liquid crystal layers, in particular on a dark background, photonic crystals, in particular on a dark background, etc.
In this case, it is possible for the at least two transparent openings to be realized as a metal-free region of the OVD, or as an unprinted region in the printed layer. The printed layer may be, e.g., a part of the printed image of a banknote. In particular, the printed layer may be applied by means of intaglio printing. The advantage of this technique is that, owing to the very high resolution, of several thousand DPI (DPI=Dots Per Inch), the transparent openings in the mask layer can be made very small. Therefore, the distance between two transparent openings can also be very small. Furthermore, conventional printing methods can to be used for value and security documents. In particular, indirect relief printing (so-called letterset) offers a high resolution and lower costs for the printing form than the intaglio printing method.
It is particularly advantageous to use, as mask layer of such a self-luminous or backlit security element, an optical device that provides an autonomous optical security feature that also operates independently of the luminous layer, e.g. a printed security image having translucent windows, or an OVD, the metallic reflection layer of which serves as an opaque region of the mask, and which additionally has transparent regions, through which light from the luminous layer can pass out of the security element. The interaction of the self-luminous or backlit luminous layer and the optical device, serving as mask layer, results, synergistically, in a multiple optical effect: on the one hand, the optical security element operates as such—irrespective of whether the luminous layer is emitting or providing light; on the other hand, the security element exhibits the particular optical effects already discussed above, that can be created through the interaction of a self-luminous or backlit luminous layer and a mask layer that covers the luminous layer. In particular, the optical effect of the optical security element is virtually perfectly visible if the proportion of the area of the transparent openings in the mask layer is small. For example, the proportion of the area is less than 30%, and preferably less than 10%. Such a small area proportion is additionally advantageous for the image quality of the optical effects that result from the interaction with the self-luminous or backlit luminous layer. On the other hand, the brightness of the effect decreases as the proportion of the area of the transparent openings is reduced. A further disadvantage for the special configuration of the self-luminous luminous layer as a display (in particular, as a matrix display) is that, in the case of such small transparent area proportions, the part of the display that is overlaid by the mask layer is scarcely usable, or cannot be used at all, for the representation of information.
For the configuration that comprises a mask layer composed of metal (e.g. Al) and that has additional optical security features such as diffractive structures, it is to possible for the transparent openings to be produced, not by demetallization, but by the provision of suitable structures in the region of the transparent openings. These suitable structures must increase the transmission of the metal mask layer by at least 20%, preferably by at least 90%, and more preferably by at least 200% in comparison with the regions around the transparent openings. Examples for the suitable structures are so-called sub-wavelength gratings having periods of under 450 nm, preferably of under 400 nm, and depths of greater than 100 nm, preferably of greater than 200 nm. Such structures for setting the transparency of a metal layer are described in WO 2006/024478 A2. Alternatively, these suitable structures may be random structures having a mean structure size of under 450 nm, preferably of under 400 nm, and depths of greater than 100 nm, preferably of greater than 200 nm. The advantage of this variant is that there is no need for demetallization; the disadvantage is that the transmission in the region of the transparent openings is less than in the case of demetallized openings.
Preferably, the mask layer and, in particular, the transparent openings in the mask layer are spaced apart from the luminous layer, at a distance h from each other, as viewed perpendicularly in relation to a plane spanned by the viewing side or back side of the security element. Since the mask layer and the luminous layer do not directly adjoin each other, the region of the luminous layer that is visible through the transparent openings in the mask layer changes as the security element is tilted. This makes it possible to achieve interesting, optically variable effects, as also explained further below. Preferably, the distance h is between 2 μm and 500 μm, more preferably between 10 μm and 100 μm, and yet more preferably between 25 μm and 100 μm.
According to a preferred development of the invention, light that exits the security element, through the mask layer, at differing emergence angles provides respectively differing items of optical information. A viewer, when tilting the security element, i.e. changing the viewing position and/or tilting the security element, e.g. horizontally to the left/right or vertically upwards/downwards, thus perceives differing items of optical information, e.g. light patterns. Differing views at differing viewing angles, i.e. a characteristic “image changeover”, constitute a very simple, rapid and, at the same time, effective possibility for verifying the genuineness of a security document.
It is possible for the at least one luminous layer to have a luminous element that is luminous over its whole area or provides light over its whole area. In addition, however, it is advantageous for the luminous layer to have one or more first zones, in which the luminous layer can emit or provide light, and which are each preferably surrounded by a second zone or separated from each other by a second zone in which the luminous layer cannot emit or provide light. Thus, for example, one or more first zones that radiate light or provide light are realized in front of a background, constituted by a second zone, that does not radiate light or provide light.
Preferably, in this case, the luminous layer has two or more second zones.
For the purpose of realizing the one or more first zones, the luminous layer preferably has one or more separate luminous elements or transparent openings. With backlighting of the luminous layer, the transparent openings act like self-luminous luminous elements. In this case, the two or more separate luminous elements each have a radiating region, in which the respective luminous element can emit or provide light, and each of which constitutes one of the first zones. The one or more separate luminous elements are each preferably a self-luminous display element or a luminescent display element, or backlit openings.
According to a preferred embodiment, the luminous layer has a mask layer that is not provided in the region of the first zone, or first zones, and that is provided in the region of the second zone, or second zones. The mask layer prevents light from being emitted or provided by the luminous layer in the region of the second zone or second zones, in that it block, or at least substantially weakens, the light emitted or provided by the luminous layer in the second zone or second zones. In the region of the second zone, the mask layer preferably has a transmittance of at most 20%, more preferably of at most 10%, and yet more preferably of at most 5%, and is preferably composed of a metallic layer, preferably an opaque metallic layer. Between this mask layer and the back side of the security element, the luminous layer preferably has a full-area luminous element, or one or more luminous elements, in particular self-luminous display elements or luminescent display elements. In addition, however, it is also possible for the luminous layer to be a layer by which light that is incident on the back side is conducted to the mask layer, and by which incident light from the back side is thus provided in the region of the first zones and blocked in the region of the second zones.
Moreover, it is also possible for the luminous layer to have one or more, preferably two or more, second zones, in which the luminous layer cannot emit or provide light, and which are each preferably surrounded, or separated from each other, by a first zone. The luminous layer thus provides one or more second zones, in which the luminous layer does not radiate light, or cannot provide light, and which are surrounded by a background in which the luminous layer can radiate or provide light, for example two or more non-luminous second zones that are surrounded by a luminous background.
Preferably, one or more of the first zones, preferably all of the first zones, have at least one lateral dimension of less than 300 μm, more preferably of less than 100 μm, and yet more preferably of less than 50 μm. A lateral dimension in this case is understood to mean a dimension in the plane spanned by the viewing side or back side of the security element, i.e., for example, the width or length of the radiating region of a separate luminous element.
According to a preferred embodiment, the at least one mask layer has two or more transparent openings, which are arranged according to a second grid. In addition, the at least one luminous layer has two or more first zones, in which the luminous layer can emit or provide light, and which are arranged according to a first grid. Alternatively, it is also possible for the luminous layer to have two or more second zones, in which the luminous layer cannot emit or provide light, and for the two or more second zones to be arranged according to the first grid. As already stated above, in this case the two or more first zones, or two or more second zones, are each preferably separated from each other, or surrounded, by a first zone or second zone, respectively.
According to a first preferred embodiment, in this case the two or more transparent openings of the second grid may each be configured in the form of a micro-image or an inverted micro-image, in particular configured in the form of a motif, symbol, one or more numbers, one or more letters and/or a micro-text. Specific examples are denominations of banknotes and the year of issue of passports or ID cards. In this case, the two or more first zones or the two or more second zones are preferably configured in the form of a sequence of strips or pixels, as viewed perpendicularly in relation to a plane spanned by the viewing side or the back side of the security element. It is thus possible, for example, for the luminous layer to have two or more luminous elements, the radiating regions of which are each shaped in the form of a strip, rectangle or conic section, and which thus realize a corresponding sequence of one or more first zones having the shape, for example, of a one-dimensional line grid or of a two-dimensional dot grid or pixel grid.
In addition, however, it is also possible for the two or more first zones or the two or more second zones each to be configured in the form of a micro-image, as viewed perpendicularly in relation to a plane spanned by the viewing side or back side of the security element, in particular configured in the form of a motif, symbol, one or more numbers, one or more letters and/or a micro-text. In this case, the two or more transparent openings of the second grid preferably have the shape of a strip, rectangle or conic section.
In this way, interesting, optically variable effects can be generated. It is thus possible, for example, for the grid widths of the first grid and of the second grid to be selected such that they are not equal for adjacent first zones and transparent openings, or second zones and transparent openings, respectively, and to be selected such that these grid widths differ from each other by less than 10%, and preferably differ from each other by not more than 2%. Alternatively, it is also possible for the first grid and the second grid to be arranged with an angular offset of between 0.5° and 25° relative to each other, but for the grid widths of the first grid and second grid to be left equal in this case, or to be selected such that, as stated above, this differs, in respect of adjacent first zones and transparent openings, or in respect of adjacent second zones and transparent openings, by not more than 10%, preferably by not more than 2%.
It has been found that, with the grids aligned and realized in such a manner, it is possible to generate optically variable magnification, distortion and movement effects that provide interesting security features.
The first grid and/or the second grid in this case may be constituted by a one-dimensional or two-dimensional grid, wherein the grid width of the first grid and of the second grid in at least one spatial direction is preferably selected so as to be less than 300 μm, in particular less than 80 μm, and more preferably less than 50 μm. Preferably in this case, the two or more first zones or the two or more second zones of the first grid, and the transparent openings of the second grid, are arranged in relation to each other such that they overlap, at least in regions, as viewed perpendicularly in relation to a plane spanned by the viewing side or back side of the security element. If the grids are arranged and realized in such a manner, the optical effects generated by the individual openings, or first zones, become intermingled for the viewer, thereby enabling interesting, optically variable effects to be generated.
Moreover, it is possible for the first grid to be a periodic grid having a first period p1 as grid width, and/or for the second grid to be a periodic grid having a second period p2 as grid width.
It is thus possible for the at least one luminous layer to have two or more separate luminous elements that are arranged in a first periodic grid having a first period, and for the at least one mask layer to have two or more transparent openings that are arranged in a second periodic grid having a second period, wherein the first and the second period are not equal, but similar. This design of the invention is based on a moiré magnification effect (moiré magnifier), which is also known by the terms “shape moiré” and “band moiré”. In this case, the size of the resultant moiré image depends on the extent to which the periods of the two grids differ from each other. Preferred image sizes are between 5 mm and 1.5 cm of the smallest dimension, for which the grid periods differ from each other, in particular, by not more than 10%, preferably differ from each other by not more than 2%. The opaque regions of the mask layer may be realized as metallic regions, e.g. as a metal layer of a metallized foil, or as a printed layer. Consequently, the transparent openings may be realized as demetallized regions of a metal layer, e.g. of a metallized foil, or as unprinted or thinly printed regions of a printed layer, or as regions of a printed layer printed with a transparent printing color. The transparent openings preferably realize so-called “micro-images”, i.e. images that are preferably not resolvable by the unaided eye, which are magnified by the optical interaction with the luminous elements. Alternatively, the mask layer may also be an inverted mask layer. This means that, in this case, the “micro-images” are opaque and the background of the “micro-images” is transparent. The term “images” in this case includes all possible items of information, such as alphanumeric characters, letters, logos, symbols, outlines, pictorial representations, emblems, patterns, grids, etc.
If the area proportion of the transparent openings of the mask layer is large, for example greater than 50%, and preferably greater than 70%, the part of the display that is covered by the mask layer may nevertheless be used for the representation of information by the display. If the optional intermediate layer is present, the latter, for this case, must likewise have a high transmission, for example greater than 50% and preferably greater than 70%. In this embodiment, it is useful if, in the region covered by the mask layer, the display constitutes an image sequence, wherein this sequence alternates between the representation of the information of the display—for example, the face of the owner of an ID card—and the pattern that interacts with the mask layer.
If the luminous layer is inactive, i.e. is not emitting light, or not providing light, the “micro-images” are not visible, or at least not clearly visible, as magnified images. If the luminous layer is active, i.e. is emitting light, or providing light, the “micro-images” are clearly visible as magnified images. These magnified images alter, move or tilt over vertically if the security element is tilted to the left or right, or upwards or downwards, or if it is viewed from differing perspectives. In comparison with known moiré magnification arrangements, there is a difference in that the latter are always visible, whereas, in the case of the present development of the invention, the “micro-images” are only clearly visible as magnified images if the luminous layer is active, or providing light. Thus, a further optical effect can be generated by “switching” the luminous layer between on and off, or between backlit and non-backlit.
Apart from embodiments in which the first grid and the second grid are periodic grids, and the micro-images are identical micro-images, it has also been found, moreover, that advantageous movement and morphing effects, generated upon tilting or turning, can be achieved by the following designs: to achieve such effects, it is proposed to continuously vary the grid width of the first and/or second grid, and or the angular offset of the first and the second grid relative to each other, and/or the shape of the micro-images, according to a parameter variation function, in at least one spatial direction. By altering the grid width of the first and/or second grid, and/or altering the angular offset of the first and the second grid in relation to each other, it is thus possible, for example, to vary the magnification (see statements above) and, for example, the direction of movement of the representation that results for the viewer upon tilting. The alteration of the shape of the micro-images according to the parameter variation function makes it possible to generate, for example, transformation effects and complex movement effects in combination with the latter.
Moreover, it is also possible for the grid width of the first and/or second grid, and/or the angular offset of the first and the second grid relative to each other, and/or the alignment of the first grid and/or the second grid, and/or the shape of the micro-images in a first region of the security element to differ from the corresponding parameters in a second region of the security element. In this way, also, the generation of complex, optically variable effects can be further improved, and consequently the optical appearance and security against falsification of the security element can be further improved.
According to a further preferred embodiment example, the transparent openings in the second grid and/or the two or more first zones and/or the two or more second zones of the first grid are each varied in their surface area, for the purpose of generating a half-tone image. It is thus possible, for example, for the transparent openings in the second grid or the two or more first zones or the two or more second zones of the first grid each to be in the shape of a strip, and for the width of the strip-shaped opening, or strip-shaped first or second zones, to be varied locally for the purpose of generating a half-tone image. It is thereby possible, for example, for the corresponding half-tone image to be visible, for example by reflected light, to the viewer when viewing the front or back side of the security element in a state in which no light is being provided or emitted by the luminous layer, and for the security feature described above, generated by the interaction of the mask layer and the luminous layer, to be visible in a state in which the luminous layer is providing or emitting light. It is also possible in this case for a first such half-tone image to be visible when viewed from the front side (by reflected light) a second half-tone image, different from the first, to be visible when viewed from the back side (by reflected light), and for the security feature described by the combined action of the luminous layer and the mask layer, to become visible when viewed from the viewing side, in a state in which the luminous layer is providing light or emitting light. Thus, in this case, for example, the first half-tone image is provided by the variation of the transparent openings of the second grid, as described above, and the second half-tone image is provided by the corresponding variation of the first zones or the second zones of the first grid.
Moreover, through correspondingly differential coloring of the mask layer in the opaque regions arranged between the transparent openings of the second grid, it is also possible, in addition, to generate a colored image that is preferably only visible when the luminous layer is not providing or emitting light, when viewed from the viewing side. Furthermore, in this case, such a multicolored image can also be varied locally in its color brightness, by means of the variation, described above, of the transparent openings of the second grid.
It is possible for the at least one mask layer to have at least two arrangements of transparent openings, wherein light emitted by the at least one luminous layer exits the security element through the at least two arrangements at respectively differing emergence angles. An arrangement of transparent openings comprises one or more openings. At least two arrangements of transparent openings thus comprise at least two differing openings that differ from each other in their arrangement, i.e. position, in the mask layer, and possibly also in their shape. Upon tilting the security element, a viewer thus perceives differing items of optical information, e.g. light patterns: if light reaches his eye through openings of a first arrangement, he sees a first item of optical information. If light reaches his eye through openings of a second arrangement, at a different viewing angle, he sees a second item of optical information. Differing views at differing viewing angles, i.e. a characteristic “image changeover”, constitute a very simple, rapid and, at the same time, effective possibility for verifying the genuineness of a security document. A simple example is a changeover of image between the denomination number of a banknote, e.g. “50” and a national emblem, e.g. the “Swiss cross”.
It is possible for the light exiting the security element through the at least two arrangements, at respectively differing emergence angles, to realize an image sequence consisting of two or more images, wherein each of these images is present at a different emergence angle. Very striking optical information can be conveyed, in the manner of a film, by means of an image sequence showing, e.g., a galloping horse. Moving images in combination with self-luminous switchable luminous elements, or elements providing light, possibly even emitting or providing colored light, produce a surprising optical effect on security documents, which offers an effective and easily striking possibility for verifying the genuineness of a security document.
It is preferred that the at least one luminous layer has two or more separate luminous elements, arranged in a pattern, and that the transparent openings of the at least two arrangements are realized so as to match this pattern. In this case, at least one opening is assigned, respectively, to every luminous element contributing to the optical effect, through which opening light, emitted by the luminous element, exits the security element at an assigned emergence angle in each case. As a result of matching the luminous elements to the openings, a combined action of differing openings of an arrangement can be achieved. At a particular viewing angle, therefore, light reaches a viewer, not merely through one transparent opening, but through a multiplicity of transparent openings. This, in turn, through skilful arrangement and spatial distribution of the openings, opens up the possibility of realizing gridded images, in the form of a digital raster graphic, the pixels of which, i.e. image elements, are constituted by the individual openings. In the case of a typical arrangement for realizing an image changeover, two openings in the mask layer are arranged symmetrically at a layer distance h above an assigned luminous element of the luminous layer.
It is preferred that the at least one luminous layer and the at least one mask layer are arranged parallel to each other. In this case, it is easier to maintain a mutual register accuracy than when the at least one luminous layer and the at least one mask layer converge at an acute angle.
It is possible for at least one opaque intermediate layer, having at least one arrangement of translucent openings, to be arranged, at least partially, between the at least one luminous layer and the at least one mask layer. “Crosstalk”, in connection with the security element, is understood to mean the phenomenon whereby light of a second luminous element reaches the viewer through transparent openings in the mask layer that are assigned to a first luminous element, i.e. an unwanted transmission of light through a transparent opening in the mask layer. This problem arises particularly when the distance between the luminous layer and the mask layer is relatively large. If an intermediate layer is is then inserted between the luminous layer and the mask layer, the translucent openings in the intermediate layer act, as it were, as a second luminous layer, but with a reduced distance in relation to the mask layer. As a result of the reduction in distance, the problem of “crosstalk” can be reduced or prevented.
A further advantage of an intermediate layer consists in that a luminous layer that radiates or provides light over its whole surface, e.g. a large-area LED or a transparent, backlit foil that scatters diffusely, can easily be converted into a grid of separate luminous elements, i.e. pixels (LED=Light-Emitting Diode).
Preferably, the intermediate layer is closely matched to the mask layer, e.g. in a common production process, and used jointly, in the form of a layer composite/laminate, to produce the security element. In this case, the arrangement of the translucent openings in the intermediate layer can be matched to the luminous layer, or be independent of the latter. Such an intermediate layer can, for example, be produced in exact register with the mask layer, in that both layers are effected by printing the front side and back side of a foil. It is also conceivable, in a production process, to use an image recognition system that evaluates the optical effect with backlighting or with the luminous layer switched on, to control the operation of arranging the mask layer and intermediate layer, or luminous layer, with precision in respect of their angle and/or position in relation to each other.
Arrangement of two layers in exact register with each other is understood here to mean an arrangement whereby the two layers are matched to each other, particularly in the form of a positionally exact arrangement of the two layers in relation to each other. In particular, such an arrangement of two layers in relation to each other can be achieved in that, as one layer is applied, the exact position of the other layer is acquired, for example by means of register marks, and the position of this other layer, in particular its position in a plane spanned by the front side or back side of the security element or security document, is taken into account as the layer is applied. This makes it possible, in particular, for openings in the layer to be arranged with exact positioning in relation to each other, in particular to overlap, when viewed in a spanned plane perpendicular to the front side or back side of the security element or security document.
It is possible for light-scattering or luminescent elements to be arranged in the translucent openings in the intermediate layer, which elements scatter incident light from the luminous layer in the direction of the mask layer, or re-radiate it by luminescence. The light-scattering elements may be composed, e.g., of matt, transparent materials, which effect diffuse scattering of incident light. The luminescent elements may be fluorescent and/or phosphorescent materials, which absorb incident light and re-radiate it in the same or a different wavelength range, immediately and/or in a time-staggered manner. Excitation of such luminescent elements may not only be effected by a luminous layer located at the back, as viewed from the viewing side. Alternatively, it is also conceivable for the luminescent elements to be excited from the viewing side, i.e. through the mask layer.
It is possible for the at least one luminous layer to have two or more separate luminous elements, wherein these luminous elements and the at least one transparent opening in the mask layer have a rectangular shape, as viewed perpendicularly in relation to the plane of the foil body. Preferably, this rectangular shape is a rectangle having a length m and a width n, wherein the ratio m/n is greater than or equal to 2. Moreover, it is advantageous if the outline of the luminous elements is identical to that of the openings; then, when the security element is tilted about the longitudinal axis of the luminous elements, or openings, the light of the luminous element completely fills the associated opening in. The mask layer, without leaving unilluminated sub-regions. As an alternative to this, the transparent opening in the mask layer may have a square or circular shape, having, respectively, the edge length or diameter m, as viewed perpendicularly in relation to the plane of the foil body. Here, likewise, it is advantageous if the outline of the luminous elements is identical to that of the openings.
It is possible for the at least one luminous layer to have two or more separate luminous elements, wherein the space between adjacent luminous elements is considerably greater than the width of the luminous elements. Preferably, a distance between adjacent luminous elements is approximately 5 times greater, preferably approximately 10 times greater, than the width of the luminous elements. In this case, it is possible for openings in the mask layer to be unambiguously assigned to a single luminous element of the luminous layer.
It is possible for the at least one luminous layer to have two or more luminous elements that emit light in at least two differing colors. The use of differing light colors makes additional striking optical effects possible, in addition to a light-dark light pattern defined by the mask layer. Thus, for example, in addition to perceiving an image changeover, a viewer can also perceive differing colors at different viewing angles. If a matrix of individual luminous elements is used, the elements being controllable, in the manner of pixels, as individual image elements, preferably in a manner similar to pixels in image sensors and display screens, in the form of areas that are each of a primary color (RGB=Red, Green and Blue), differing colored images can be generated, according to the control of the luminous elements. For example, with such a luminous layer, with a suitable mask layer, it would be possible to achieve an image changeover from a true-color image to a false-color image. For such color changeovers, it is important that the mask layer is not only aligned in register with the pixels of the display, but that, in addition, the openings in the mask layer are also aligned to the correct color pixels.
The security element is preferably a security element for the identification marking of a security document and increasing the security against falsification of the latter, in particular of a banknote, monetary instrument, check, taxation revenue stamp, postage stamp, visa, motor vehicle document, ticket or paper document, or of identification documents (ID documents), in particular a passport or ID card, identity card, driving license, bank card, credit card, access control pass, health insurance card, or of a commercial product, for the purpose of increasing the security against falsification and/or for the purpose of authentication and/or traceability (track & trace) of the commercial product or any chip cards and adhesive labels.
According to a preferred development of the invention, the security document has a maximum thickness of 2000 μm, and preferably a maximum of 1000 μm, and yet more preferably a maximum of 500 μm. In this case, the total thickness of the security document and the security element arranged thereon, is particularly suited to practical application. According to ISO 7810, ID1 cards have, for example, a thickness of 0.762 mm (exactly 0.03 inches), with a tolerance of ±0.08 mm. Limitation of the total thickness is especially important in the case of security documents subjected to mechanical handling, such as, e.g., banknotes in automated cash dispensers, or cash counting and sorting machines, as well as ID cards in standard readers. In such cases, an excessive total thickness of the security document would impair its handling. In particular for banknotes, it is particularly preferred if the security document has a thickness in the range of from 20 to 200 μm, and further of from 50 to 200 μm, in this case preferably in the range of from 50 to 140 μm, and further of from 85 to 140 μm, in particular of approximately 100 μm.
The at least one security element in this case may be realized in the form of a stripe or in the form of a label on the security document, or be arranged as a stripe or as a label within a, in particular, regionally transparent layer laminate.
Moreover, it is advantageous if, following application of the at least one security element, the security document is printed with at least one opaque printing color to and/or at least one opaque colored varnish. In one embodiment, only regions of the security element are covered with this.
In this case, the stiffness of the composite, composed of the security document and security element, in the region of a piezoelectric energy source is to be set is such that the impressed force, and the mechanical stress caused thereby, is distributed to further regions of the energy source, in particular to the entire region of the energy source, in order to generate a sufficiently high voltage for switching the luminous layer when the layer of piezoelectric material is bent. The stiffness can generally be influenced and imparted to the required region, before or after application of the security element to the security document, by selective regional application of opaque printing color and/or of an opaque colored varnish, and/or by application of other layers, including those that are transparent over their full surface area.
The at least one security element in this case can be arranged on or embedded in the security document. The at least one security element is preferably applied to a surface of the security document by stamping, with a transfer foil or laminating foil being used. Insertion within the security document is preferably effected already during the production of the security document. Thus, in the case of a security document made of paper, the at least one security element can be inserted in the paper already during the paper production. In the case of banknotes, the security element may also be generated only at the time of being integrated into the banknote. For example, this may be effected by hot-stamping a KINEGRAM® patch with a demetallization in the arrangement of the transparent openings in the mask layer, wherein an intaglio imprint is applied with an exact angular fit on the other side of the banknote. This imprint has transparent openings in the region of the security element, which act in combination with the transparent openings in the mask layer opposite to generate the desired optical effect when viewed with back lighting. In the case of ID documents, the security element can be laminated into a layer composite of the security document or applied to the surface of the security document.
Moreover, it is also possible for the security element as such to already constitute a security document, the latter being, for example, a banknote, a monetary instrument, a paper document, an identification card, in particular a passport or an ID or bank card. The security element in this case may be composed of various sub-elements that are laminated together during the production process. It is thus possible, for example, for the at least one mask layer to be constituted by a flexible, multilayer foil body that is applied as a laminating foil or transfer layer of a transfer foil to the luminous layer of the security element. Optionally, there may also additionally be transparent intermediate layers between the luminous layer and the multilayer foil body. Moreover, it is also possible for the masking layer and the luminous layer to be embedded between different layers of the security element.
The invention is explained in the following on the basis of several embodiment examples and with the aid of the accompanying drawing. There are shown, schematically and not true to scale, in:
The distance h in this case is the distance between the underside of the mask layer 4 and the top side of the luminous layer 2, in particular the first zones of the luminous layer, in which the latter radiates or provides light.
It is only when the viewer 3 swivels his viewing direction in the mathematically positive direction of rotation, by the angle θ1, about the y axis, i.e. to the left in the drawing, that light reaches him through the transparent openings 41 in the form of the capital letter “I”. In this viewing direction θ1 the viewer 3 thus perceives the luminous capital letter “I”. If the viewer 3 swivels his viewing direction in the mathematically negative direction of rotation by the angle θ2, about the y axis, i.e. to the right in the drawing, light reaches him through the transparent openings 42 in the form of the capital letter “S”. The viewer 3 thus perceives the luminous capital letter “S”.
Depending on the viewing direction, therefore, a viewer 3 perceives either no information, or a first item of information or a second item of information. This design of the invention thus offers the optical effect of the so-called “image flip”.
A top view of the viewing side of the security element 1 from
The transparent openings may be, for example, demetallized regions in a metallized security element having conventional optically variable effects in reflection, e.g. hologram, Kinegram® etc.
The transparent openings may alternatively contain suitable structures that, even without demetallization, have a significantly higher transmission than structures designed for reflection. These suitable structures must increase the transmission of the metal mask layer by at least 20%, preferably by at least 90%, and more preferably by at least 200%, as compared with the regions around the transparent openings. Examples of the suitable structures are so-called sub-wavelength gratings having periods of under 450 nm, preferably of under 400 nm, and depths of greater than 100 nm, preferably of greater than 200 nm.
The colors in which the items of information appear are determined by the luminous layer 2, but may be varied by means of colored, fluorescent, phosphorescent and other layers that can cause variation in a light color and that are located between the luminous layer 2 and the viewer.
The registering of the pixel matrix with the mask layer may also be effected by software. In this case, measurement is effected to determine the combination of luminous pixels at which the desired effect is optimal with the mask layer. Alternatively, the display may show a sequence of combinations of luminous pixels, with the objective that one of the combinations is as close as possible to the optimum.
Another possible design of a luminous layer in the form of a pixel matrix is a matrix arrangement of 128×128 pixels (RGB), the matrix having overall dimensions of 33.8 mm×33.8 mm.
A further possible design of a luminous layer is a full-area OLED. Such OLEDs may, for example, give light over their full surface area, over 10 mm×10 mm. Standard colors of OLEDs are currently green, red or white.
It is possible for a mask layer, in the form of a foil, to be arranged above one of the luminous layers described above, wherein the distance between the luminous layer and the mask layer may be approximately 0.7 mm. A lesser distance is more advantageous for the majority of applications, however, as explained in greater detail later with reference to
Since one opening can be realized for each pixel, or for each pixel group, entirely independently of the other openings, a different effect can be generated for each light color R, G and B. In this way, an observer perceives an effect resulting from the interaction of the red luminous elements 21R with the “red” openings 41, 42, if the red pixels 21R that are assigned to these openings 41 and 42 are activated.
An entirely different optical effect occurs if the blue pixels 21B are activated, etc. In this way, it is possible, e.g., to generate “true color” 3D images. If the luminous layer and mask layer are realized in this manner, an alignment in the x and y directions is necessary, with the result that the correct openings 41 to 46 come to rest above the corresponding luminous elements 21.
As an alternative to increasing the spacing of the luminous elements, the spacing, or period, of the transparent openings may also be increased. This, likewise, has the effect of reducing the “crosstalk”.
For the purpose of producing such security elements, e.g. for ID cards, it may therefore be advantageous to effect active positioning during the production process. It is conceivable, in a production process, to use an image recognition system that evaluates the optical effect with backlighting, or with the luminous layer switched on, to control the operation of arranging the mask layer 4 and the intermediate layer 6, or luminous layer 2, in a precise manner in relation to each other in respect of angle and/or position. It is also possible, during production, to provide mask layers with built-in alignment marks, to make it easier to achieve angular and lateral accuracy in registering the mask layer in relation to the individual luminous elements of the luminous layer.
A section of a mask layer 4 that is viewed by a viewer, with a left eye 3l and a right eye 3r, is shown in the upper part of
A top view of the mask layer 4 is shown in the lower part of
Thus, in the mask layer 4, the openings 41l, 42l, 41r, 42r are matched to differing luminous elements of a luminous layer 2 that is arranged behind the mask layer 4 in the viewing direction, such that the left eye 3l sees the partial image denoted by Bl, and the right eye 3r sees the partial image denoted as Br. Owing to the fact that the two partial images Bl, Br, which are each perceived by one of the two eyes 3l and 3r, respectively, are superimposed in the brain of the viewer, the viewer has the impression of a 3-dimensional arrangement of the two objects O1 and O2. A viewing distance similar to the normal reading distance, thus approximately 20 to 40 cm, is assumed in this case.
The arrangements for representing 3-dimensional, i.e. stereoscopic, images are basically analogous to those for realizing an image changeover (“image flip”).
The conventional way of generating stereo images is to use a special twin-lens stereoscopic camera. However, it is simpler to model an object in the computer and to calculate the two half-images that are perceived by the left and the right eye. This procedure is shown schematically in
A standard method of combining the two images, as they are shown in
Since a red image cannot be seen through a red-colored lens, and vice versa, each eye 3l, 3r sees only one half-image in each case, with the result that a stereoscopic impression can be generated. This method functions very well on computer monitors. In this case, there are several possible combinations, e.g. red/green or green/red or red/cyan or blue/red, etc.
In order to generate such a stereoscopic image having a security element according to a design of the present invention, the two partial images are transferred in a gridded manner to the mask layer 4, e.g. by demetallization of an OVD, the metallic reflection layer of which serves as mask layer 4. In this way, the mask layer 4 is provided with openings at those locations that, respectively, allow light from the luminous elements 21 to reach the left eye 3l and the right eye 3r of a viewer, with the result that the respective stereoscopic half-image can be perceived by the viewer, as shown schematically in
According to one design of the present invention, a moiré magnification arrangement is realized with the following structure: in this case, a revealing layer, constituted by a luminous layer 2 having linear first zones 211, in which the luminous layer 2 can emit or provide light, is located beneath a base layer constituted by a mask layer 4 having periodically arranged, identical openings 41 of a particular shape. Here, the first zones 211 are separated from each other by one or more second zones 212, in which the luminous layer cannot emit or provide light. The first zones 211 in this case are preferably each realized by one or more luminous elements. Thus,
Moreover, however, it is also possible for the regions shown in the color black in
If the luminous elements 21 of the luminous layer 2 are not active, or not providing light, a viewer 3 does not perceive the images 41. It is only when the luminous layer 2 is activated, and emits or provides light, that the viewer 3 sees the word “OK”. This image is formed by the light beams that exit the luminous elements 21 in the angular direction of the eye of the viewer 3 and are transmitted through the micro-images 41. If the security element 1 is tilted from left to right, about an axis along the longitudinal axis of the luminous elements 21, light beams are transmitted at differing angles through the micro-images 41, and the magnified image created appears to move, as indicated in the lower part of
Shown schematically in
Moreover, it is also possible for the security element to have a structure that is the inverse of the structure explained with reference to the figures
In the case of the embodiment example according to
If the security document 100 is constituted, for example, by a banknote or an ID document, this banknote is preferably realized such that the carrier substrate of the banknote or ID card has a transparent window that is overprinted with the mask layer 4 on one side. The luminous layer 2 is then applied on the back side of this transparent window, for example applied in the form of a laminating foil or the transfer layer of a transfer foil.
If the security document is an ID card, the light-emitting elements are preferably arranged between two layers, of which the front layer is transparent. An imprint constituting the mask layer is then preferably applied above the light-emitting elements, preferably being applied to the upper surface of the card body.
The security document 100 is preferably a polymer banknote that has a transparent plastic film as carrier substrate, for example a BOPP film having a layer thickness of between 70 and 150 μm. This carrier substrate then preferably constitutes the substrate 7 of the security element 1. This carrier substrate is then printed on both sides, in order to provide the corresponding design of the banknote. In this printing operation, a window 101 is created, having, for example, the shape of a stripe shown in
Photos of the optical effect exhibited when the security element 1 is viewed with reflected light and with back-light are shown in the figures
Moreover, it is advantageous to encode yet another item of information into the mask layer 4. Thus, it is possible, for example, as shown in
Preferably, the mask layer is realized in the form of a linear grid, wherein the period and shape of the lines is selected, for example, such that it acts in combination with the micro-images realized in the luminous layer, in order to generate the effects described above, and the line width or line thickness determines the grey value of the image.
Moreover, it is also possible, as shown in
As has already been stated above in connection with
As has already been stated above, it is possible in this case for a multiplicity of first zones to be configured in the form of micro-images and arranged according to a grid, i.e. the micro-images appear light against a dark background when light is provided or emitted by the luminous layer 2. Moreover, however, it is also possible for the luminous layer to have a multiplicity of second zones that are each configured in the form of a micro-image and arranged according to the grid. In this case, the micro-images appear dark against a light background when light is provided or emitted by the luminous layer.
It is also possible in this case for the luminous layer 2 to be realized such that the light that is incident on the back side of the security document is provided in the region of the first zones by the luminous layer, with the result that, when the back side is correspondingly illuminated, the effect explained by way of example above with reference to the figures
The embodiments according to
It is also possible, moreover, for the openings 41 in the mask layer 4, and the first and second zones 211 and 212, respectively, of the luminous layer 2 to be arranged according to a two-dimensional grid, or according to a geometrically transformed grid, for example a grid extending in the form of a wave line or in a radially symmetrical manner. Moreover, it is also possible for these grids not to be periodic grids, and thus, for example, for the grid width of one or both of these grids to vary in at least one spatial direction and/or for the alignment to vary between these grids. This enables interesting optically variable effects to be generated, as already stated above.
Shown schematically in
In the present example, in which the electrodes are composed of metal, their layer thickness is selected such that no light, or only very little light, can go through the electrodes, apart from through the transparent openings 61. The great advantage is of this embodiment example is that the distance h between the intermediate layer 6 and the mask layer 4 can be chosen very small. In addition, it is possible for the two electrode layers, in the regions in which there are no transparent openings 61, i.e. where no light can escape in any case, to be realized with an electrical insulating material 24, which electrically isolates the two electrode layers 22, 23 from each other, e.g. by patterned printing. This avoids unnecessary heating of the foil as a result of light generation, when the light cannot in any case exit the self-luminous luminous layer 2. The lateral distance d between the edges of a hole in the upper electrode 22 and the edge of the closest insulating material 24 is in the range of from 1 μm to 100 μm, preferably of between 5 μm and 20 μm.
Preferably, the card core is of a PCI design, although the method also works with other card types (PCI=Polycarbonate Inlay).
As shown in
The mask may be produced using a method that has already been described by Jan van den Berg in “3-D Lenticular Photo ID” (in Optical Document Security I, Conference Proceedings, Editor Rudolf L. van Renesse, San Francisco, 23-25.01.2008, pages 337-344). The laser 13 scans the card 100 and uses high energy to remove material from the upper layer 4, in order to produce the item of information. The card 100 has between 2 and 7 tilt angles for which, respectively, the ablation process is performed. For each position A to E, the laser 13 removes a different pattern. The great advantage of this method is that the upper mask layer 4 and the lower intermediate layer 6 are written simultaneously, with the result that there is a perfect register accuracy between the two. The laser in this case is positioned at a relatively large distance from the card, with the result that the eyes of the viewer mirror the desired viewing direction.
From the top downwards, the transfer foil 200 has the following structure: a carrier foil 201, an outer protective layer 9, which is preferably realized as a transparent protective varnish layer and the top side of which constitutes the viewing side 11 of the security element 1, a mask layer 4, e.g. in the form of an OVD, a substrate 7, e.g. 0.2 mm thick, a luminous layer 2, a lower protective layer 9, and an adhesive layer 14, the underside of which constitutes the underside 11 of the security element 1. The transfer foil 200 is oriented relative to a security document 100 to be provided with identification marking, such that the adhesive layer 14 faces towards the security document 100 and the carrier foil 201 faces away from the security document 100. The foil body 1 can be fixed to the security document 100 by means of the adhesive layer 14, in particular in the form of a cold-setting or hot-setting adhesive. A separation layer may additionally be arranged between the carrier foil 201 and the foil body 1, this layer making it easier to separate the foil body 1 from the carrier foil 201 of the transfer foil 20 after the stamping. However, this separation function may also be assumed by a different layer, e.g., as in the present example, by the upper protective layer 9.
h=z·(p/(e+p))
If the pixel separation is made p=0.1 mm and the eye separation is made e=65 mm, then, for a typical viewing distance of z=200 mm for ID documents, the distance h, from the luminous layer 2 to the mask layer 4, is h=300 μm results. This is realizable for ID documents. Smaller pixels, with correspondingly smaller periods p, allow even smaller values for h.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10 2011 117 044 | Oct 2011 | DE | national |
| Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/EP2012/071310 | 10/26/2012 | WO | 00 |
| Publishing Document | Publishing Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| WO2013/060874 | 5/2/2013 | WO | A |
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| Number | Date | Country | |
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| 20140300095 A1 | Oct 2014 | US |
