Security element for marking or identifying objects and living beings

Abstract

A security element for marking, authenticating or identifying objects or living beings, such as people, animals or plants is provided that includes one or more layers of materials that are arranged next to or on top of each other or that overlap, which have security markings. At least one layer of the security element has, at least regionally, a crackle pattern in form of tears or cracks, nicks, wear areas or shrinkages and possible impurities, which can be scanned and detected together or separately as security features. A method for producing such a security element and to a use thereof for authenticating a person or an object, or for authorizing, triggering, continuing, carrying out and ending an action is also provided.

Claims

1. A method for marking, authenticating, or identifying objects, comprising: scanning and acquiring one or more layers, arranged next to or above one another or overlapping layer of materials, where at least one layer, at least in areas, contains security markings, wherein, the security markings include a crackle pattern in the form of tears or cracks, nicks, wear areas, shrinkages or soiled areas that are generated, influenced, or made manipulable, wherein said crackle pattern is scanned and acquired as a security feature, and data obtained by the scan is compared with one or more databases in one or more optionally separate transmission paths, and wherein the crackle pattern is a crack having a depth and a width and, at least in areas, undergoes a dynamic change process, as a result of which changes in the crackle pattern arise and are acquired.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the security features acquired by an examination process or examination processes are compared with features stored in one or more databases and changed or new features are stored.

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein the crackle pattern is scanned and acquired in different areas of a layer with different measuring methods or parameters, whereby each measuring method or parameter can provide its own data set, which is acquired, stored, and read as needed or updated in one or more optionally independent databases, in one or more optionally independent transmission paths, and wherein earlier data sets are not overwritten, but supplemented by the new data and a new version number with a timestamp.

4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the crackle pattern is scanned and acquired at a variable scanning angle and/or angle of incidence, and wherein the scanning angle/angle of incidence and/or the scanning wavelength is/are included optionally as additional security features in the database.

5. The method according to claim 1, wherein the changes in the crackle pattern arise over time.

6. The method according to claim 1, wherein the data acquired describe the crackle pattern or parts of the crackle pattern at a fixed point and time.

7. The method according to claim 1, wherein the crackle pattern is generated or influenced physically, magnetically or chemically.

8. The method according to claim 1, wherein the crackle pattern is generated, influenced, or made manipulable by primary or secondary drying, use or wear, heat effect, drying and moisture effects, temperature change, light or oxygen treatment, ultrasound treatment, soiling, cleaning, magnetism, electromagnetic induction, electric voltage, or current.

9. The method according to claim 1, wherein the crackle pattern is generated, influenced, or made manipulable by a colorant, a solvent, or binding agent or by solvent- and binding agent-containing substances or mixtures thereof.

10. The method according to claim 9, wherein the crackle pattern is generated, influenced, or made manipulable by asphalt, tar, bitumen, oils, fats, resins, waxes, natural or synthetic polymers, oxidants, or related substances, or mixtures thereof.

11. The method according to claim 1, wherein the crackle pattern in a layer is generated, influenced, or made manipulable by a layer arranged above or beneath it.

12. A security system for authenticating or identifying objects or living beings, the security system comprising: a security element attached to an object or living being; and a scanning device that scans the security element to authenticate or identify the object or living being, wherein the security element comprises: one or more layers arranged next to or above one another or overlapping layers of materials, wherein at least one layer of the security element, at least in areas, is provided with a crackle pattern in the form of tears or cracks, nicks, wear areas, shrinkages, or soiled areas, which form a security feature that is scannable and readable by the scanning device, wherein the crackle pattern provided in the at least one layer of the security element is, at least in areas, dynamic, such that changes in the crackle pattern arise over time, and wherein the crackle pattern is a crack having a depth and a width and, at least in areas, undergoes a dynamic change process, as a result of which changes in the crackle pattern arise and are acquired.

13. The security system according to claim 12, wherein the layer containing the crackle pattern is transparent and not visible to the naked eye.

14. The security system according to claim 12, wherein the crackle pattern extends across several layers, whereby the layers can be either the same or different in their structure or composition.

15. The security system according to claim 12, wherein the crackle pattern or parts thereof are fixed chemically or physically at least in areas.

16. The security system according to claim 12, wherein the crackle pattern is reversible.

17. The security system according to claim 12, wherein the layer containing the crackle pattern is covered by a protective film, which lets through only light of a specific wavelength, in order to make the crackle pattern visible or not visible.

18. The security system according to claim 12, further comprising a database that stores the scanned security feature and by which the scanned security feature is compared with previously stored security features.

19. The security system according to claim 12, wherein data obtained by the scan of the crackle pattern is compared with one or more databases in one or more optionally separate transmission paths.

20. The method according to claim 1, wherein the objects include documents, securities, stamps, labels, bank bills, bank notes, identity documents, personal identity cards, other ID cards, passports, chip cards, access cards, credit cards, access control cards, tickets, driver's licenses, vehicle documents, bank notes, checks, postage stamps, labels, vignettes, paintings, art objects, furniture, measuring devices, machine parts, machines, vehicles, cameras, cell phones, computers, computer-like devices, data storage media, printed materials, books, fabric, fashion items and sporting goods, technical devices, tools, paper and cardboard boxes, packaging, as well as products and the like, or living beings.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) The present invention will become more fully understood from the detailed description given hereinbelow and the accompanying drawings which are given by way of illustration only, and thus, are not limitive of the present invention, and wherein:

(2) FIG. 1 shows the basic structure of a security element with crackle layers and its analysis/examination/scanning (scan);

(3) FIG. 2 shows another structure and methods for examining a security element; and

(4) FIG. 3 shows the arrangement of a crackle layer with an overlying protective layer.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(5) In FIG. 1, two crackle layers 10, 12 are arranged one above the other. The individual crackle layers 10, 12 form varyingly pronounced tears or cracks 14, 16, 18. Depending on the extent, the tears of the topmost layer 12 can pass through to the underlying layer 10 as a single tear (cf. tear 18). Tears 16 can arise in the topmost layer 12 because of the drying process. Such tears can arise, for example, also by the drying or shrinking 11 of the underlying layer 10. Naturally, also an overlying layer can influence an underlying layer and cause stress cracks. Depending on the employed method, tears can be introduced selectively in this way to create a crackle. If a layer shrinks, it can also form furrows, which are similarly characteristic like crackle structures. As a result, shrinkages can also be used as a security feature, apart from or in addition to the crackle structures.

(6) The individual layers 10, 12 can be scanned by different measuring methods for data acquisition or identification. In this case, the individual tears 14, 16, 18 can be scanned with light of a different quality and wavelength or at different angles of incidence/scan angles, as shown in the present embodiment. Depending on the wavelength, in this way different tear fractions can be seen in the individual layers 10, 12. In the shown embodiment, the topmost layer 12 is scanned with a first wavelength 22 (normal light), as a result of which crackle tears 16, 18 of said layer 12 are made visible. The topmost layer 12 is configured such that only infrared rays with a wavelength 20 pass through. Crackle tears 14 of the underlying layer 10 can be made visible with this second wavelength 20 (e.g., IR light at 900 nm or 1200 nm). With the thus obtained structure data, a forgery-proof security feature is available which cannot be imitated. The forger does not know at which wavelength a scanning is to occur in order to generate a specific picture of the crackle pattern. The scanning angle or the angle of incidence for the light can be used as another security feature. Depending on the angle, a different picture of the crackle pattern is obtained. The provision of the angle represents another security feature. Moreover, the angle can be recalculated for the next examination using an algorithm individually in each examination and other scans for data acquisition for a subsequent examination can occur. The angle can also be established manually. Furthermore, the examination result can also be compared with an existing 3D image of the crackle pattern. The crackle formation can be initiated, accelerated, or changed in certain areas by simple mechanical treatment or treatment with ultrasound.

(7) A multilayer security element can be seen in FIG. 2. Individual tears and cracks are visible as crackle in the individual layers. In the topmost layer 4, moreover, places can be seen where there are traces of use, nicks have occurred, or which remain uncovered. Crackle tears and buckling are visible in layer 3 below it caused by drying, aging, or wear processes. For the examination, first a matching feature from the database is scanned for the first examination procedure (examination 1). In this second examination, the area to be examined is increased and other crackles are acquired (examination 2). In the third examination, the actual state of the surface is determined and other features are included, for example, other crackle structures, shrinkages, or surface pattern. A high security standard is achieved by this constant updating of an already existing database and comparison of the examination results of a subsequent examination with those from a previous examination. Examination steps 1-3 can also be performed individually or in another sequence or combination with other examination steps.

(8) A method for increasing the security and creation of other security features is the use of testing devices with different wavelength ranges during one of the examination steps 1-3 or by supplementing with other examination steps (processes). The individual examination processes at the indicated wavelengths W1 (1 to 380 nm, UV-A to UV-C), W2 (380 to 780 nm, normal light), W3 (780 to 1100 nm, IR-A1), and W4 (1100 to 1400 nm, IR-A2) are shown. IR-A3 covers the range 1400 nm-1700 nm and is not shown here. Protective films such as protective coatings can be scanned, for example, at a first wavelength W1, therefore visibly with UV light, and show changes or a pattern otherwise not visible to the eye. Shrinkages can be scanned visibly with normal light (W2). These are characterized by furrows, which can be attributed, for example, to high binding agent fractions. At the wavelength W1 or W3, depending on the quality of the protective coating, the crackle of the underlying layer can be made visible and analyzed, if it was covered or filled, for example, by the protective coating and was not visible for W2. The shown crackle tear extends up to the lowest layer 1. To make the crackle pattern of the intermediate layers visible, which are covered by overlying or underlying layers, preferably scanning methods in the infrared range (IR) are used. In a scanning operation at the wavelength W3, for example, especially the crackle pattern of the topmost layers 2 and 3 can be made visible. The crackle of the underlying layer 1 remains hidden. A subsequent scanning operation at a wavelength W4 then also brings out crackle patterns formed in the lowest layer 1. The individual data enter the databases and are preferably updated anew with each scanning procedure.

(9) The security can be increased still further in that not only the wavelength of the scanning light is varied but also the scanning angle. Depending on the angular degree, different crackle patterns or shrinkage patterns can arise. The forger is completely unaware of the angular degree, scanning or irradiated areas, or wavelengths, so that it is virtually impossible for him to pass a security examination. The crackle formation, moreover, can be influenced, for example, by ultrasound, so that sampling time periods closely spaced together enable different patterns.

(10) The shown multilayer security element can be applied to any surface. Preferably, an adhesive surface on the front or back side is used for this purpose.

(11) In FIG. 3A, crackle layer 12 is covered by another protective layer 13. The individual tears 16 of crackle layer 12 are protected in this way. Protective layer 13 can also be used, however, to completely fill or to cover individual tears intentionally (see FIG. 3B), as a result of which another security feature is created. The forger does not know which tears have been covered randomly and which intentionally by protective layer 13. The covered areas can be made visible only with specific methods.

(12) For example, the examination and selection of the wavelengths can occur so that the crackle (or shrinkage) arranged below protective layer 13 is not visible to normal light. Protective layer 13 shields the crackle effectively. The crackle pattern becomes visible only with the aid of other analytical methods (e.g., IR light of a certain wavelength, IR-A1 or IR-A2). The use of UV rays, polarized light, fluorescence, luminescence, and x-radiation for visualizing a crackle pattern is also conceivable, whereby the scanning angle and angle of incidence can be varied.

(13) Various examination methods are shown in FIG. 3C. During each examination process, overlapping with already examined areas occurs, but also for the scanning of new examination areas not yet included in the database. A forgery-proof security medium is created in this way and by the ongoing periodic updating. In another embodiment variant, independent additional areas can also be used or overlapping can be omitted.

(14) The invention being thus described, it will be obvious that the same may be varied in many ways. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the spirit and scope of the invention, and all such modifications as would be obvious to one skilled in the art are to be included within the scope of the following claims.