NOVEL ENCRYPTED SECURITY ELEMENT FOR BANK NOTES AND METHOD OF MANUFACTURING THE SAME

FIELD OF INVENTION:

The present invention relates to security feature for bank notes. More particularly the present invention relates to security feature based on combination of structured magnetic elements that is composed of different coercivity areas which are applied/ deposited/printed adjacent to each other and yet separated from each other by a separating element such as a magnetic or non-magnetic ink such that different coercivity areas do not overlap each other, thereby providing a more secure, more complex and more efficient security thread, with exceptional multiple codes and method of manufacturing the same.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION:

Documents of value and means of identification, such as banknotes, passports, identification cards, certificates and the like, are vulnerable to copying or counterfeiting. The increasing availability of color photocopiers, electronic scanning and other imaging systems, and the improving technical quality of color photocopiers, has led to an increase in the counterfeiting of such documentation.

Security features generally fall in two categories, overt and covert. Overt security features are ideally easily recognizable to the person in the street without the need for an additional device, whilst being difficult to counterfeit or simulate. Covert security features are generally not made public and are preferably only detectable with the aid of special devices, such as automatic cash and note handling machines. Modem banknotes contain a range of these features, with an even higher-level security feature reserved exclusively for the issuing authority. Machine readable security features can be located in one or more regions of the banknote, either in the substrate, in the printing or as an applied feature. Some examples of such features include holograms, security threads, magnetic inks, fluorescent pigments, phosphorescent materials, thermo chromic features and conductive metallic features.

Unfortunately, to overcome these security features, some counterfeiters have started to produce so-called composite banknotes. In such composite banknotes, part of a genuine banknote is cut out and replaced by a paper strip or the like, enabling the cut out part to be used to produce a further, counterfeit banknote or bill.

Generally, coded magnetic threads are currently produced by depositing magnetic areas on a fully metalized polyester substrate; these areas are composed with a single type of magnetic ink and are separated by spaces in which regions without metallic material, meant for generating texts, are generated. It is evident that once the presence of magnetic areas has been discovered, their coercivity and residual magnetism can be identified easily and consequently so can the magnetic material to be used to create a counterfeit or forgery. Security threads with magnetic regions provided with a single type of magnetic ink also have undergone counterfeiting, again with the transfer technique.

US20100327062A1, discloses a security element that comprises a first substrate which is at least partially opaque when viewed in transmitted light, magnetic areas being deposited on the substrate, the magnetic areas comprising at least two types of magnetic areas which have different coercivity values and whose residual magnetism is identical or different, said different values being adapted to generate at least two mutually different codes. The disadvantage of the aforementioned prior art is that at least two types of magnetic areas which have different coercivity values are spaced apart on the substrate, which does not provides a very complex arrangement, thereby making it easy to counterfeit. Further prior art discloses a security element that comprises a substrate, wherein the said substrate is deposited with at least two types of magnetic areas which have different coercivity values and whose residual magnetism is identical or different.Further these two types of magnetic areas which have different coercivity values are placed adjacent to each other without overlapping. The disadvantage of such type of printing/coating of magnetic element may lead to bleeding of different magnetic element into each other that eventually results in getting inaccurate signal or mixed signal.

In order to overcome the aforementioned disadvantages, it is, therefore, a need to provide improved security features of such documentation to add additional more enhanced and more complex security features or to enhance the perceptions and resistance of simulation to existing features.

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION:

The primary object of the present invention is to provide a security feature based on combination of structured magnetic elements that is composed of different coercivity areas which are applied/deposited/printed adjacent to each other such that they are separated or outlined from each other by a separating element without overlapping and without any gaps or space between them.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a magnetic security feature that comprises printing/coating structured magnetic element that is composed of areas having high coercivity and low coercivity magnetic features on a given substrate.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a magnetic security feature that comprises printing/coating structured magnetic element that is composed of areas having high coercivity and low coercivity magnetic features on a given substrate that are separated from each other by a separating element such as a magnetic/non magnetic ink such that different coercivity areas do not overlap each other. Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a magnetic security feature that comprises printing/coating structured magnetic element that is composed of areas having high coercivity and low coercivity magnetic features on a given substrate that are separated from each other by a separating element such as a magnetic /non magnetic ink such that the different coercivity areas do not overlap each other, thereby providing a more secure, more complex and more efficient security thread, with exceptional multiple codes and method of manufacturing the same.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide an efficient magnetic security feature with exceptional multiple codes and combination thereof.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a magnetic security feature that comprises printing/coating structured magnetic element/magnetic ink of different coercivity of multiple shape for example chessboard pattern, zigzag pattern, semi circular pattern, block pattern, strips on a given substrate that are separated from each other by a separating element such as a magnetic or non magnetic ink such that different coercivity areas do not overlap each other.

Yet another object of the present invention is to providemagnetic security feature of multiple shape for example chessboard pattern, zigzag pattern, semi circular pattern, block pattern, strips and many other such combination thereof.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a security feature based on magnetic elements such that magnetic difference of the regions cannot be detected by normal instruments for detecting current magnetic codes provided on security threads.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a security feature based on magnetic elements such thatthe said magnetic areas comprise at least two types of magnetic areas which have different coercivity values and whose residual magnetism is identical or different. Yet another object of the present invention, is to discreetly place the structured magnetic particles/blocks/graphics/ linear lines in such a manner that it can be read by a pre-designed algorithm to sort the specific nation’s currency as well as denominations.

Yet another object of the present invention is to print-coat magnetic patters, including graphic, indicia, wrap-around designs and specific blocks at discreet locations to converge and to detect bits, remmiscense and coercivity.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a method of manufacturing structured magnetic elements that is composed of different coercivity areas which are applied/deposited/printed adjacent to each other such that they are separated from each other by a separating element without overlapping.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a digital mark security thread which is highly reliable, relatively simple to provide and at competitive costs.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION:

One embodiment of the present invention discloses a novel encrypted security element for bank notes comprises of: dimensionally stable substrate; magnetic inks of different coercivities printed or coated adjacent to each other, over the dimensionally stable substrate; separating element that separates the said magnetic inks of different coercivities; Characterized in that, magnetic inks of different coercivity are printed/coated adjacent to each other and further separated from each other by a separating element such that different coercivity areas do not overlap each other thereby eliminating bleeding of magnetic element of different coercivity into each other and obtaining accurate signal with exceptional multiple codes.

Another embodiment of the present invention discloses a method of manufacturing the novel encrypted security element for bank notes comprising the steps of: taking a dimensionally stable substrate such as PET; coating or printing a defined area of the said dimensionally stable substrate in the machine direction/vertically with magnetic ink of high coercivity; coating or printing another defined area of the said dimensionally stable substrate in the machine direction/vertically with magnetic ink of low coercivity; separating the different areas coated with magnetic ink of high coercivity and low coercivity with a separating element, so that the different coercivity area do not overlap each other, such that thedifferent coercivity area are separated or outlined from each other by a separating element without overlapping and without any gaps or space between them , thereby providing a more secure, complex and efficient security thread, with exceptional multiple codes.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION:

Fig. 1 illustrates a perspective view of the novel encrypted security element.

Fig. 2a and Fig. 2b illustrates discreetly place structured magnetic blocks that can be read by a pre-designed algorithm.

Fig. 3 illustrates a flow chart describing steps involved in method of manufacturing the novel encrypted security element.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION:

The present invention relates to security feature based on combination of structured magnetic elements that is composed of different coercivity areas which are applied/deposited/printed adjacent to each other such that they are separated from each other by a separating element without overlapping and without any gaps or space between them so as to provide a more secure and more efficient security thread, with exceptional multiple codes and method of manufacturing the same.

The aim of the present invention is to provide magnetic structure combined with additional high coercivity and low coercivity magnetic features which are applied/deposited/printed adjacent to each yet separated from each other by a separating element such as a magnetic/non magnetic ink such that different coercivity areas do not overlap each other, thereby providing a more secure and more efficient security thread, with exceptional multiple codes and method of manufacturing the same.

Yet another embodiment of the present invention is to provide a security element particularly for banknotes, security cards and the like, having magnetic elements in which the magnetic difference of the regions cannot be detected by normal instruments for detecting current magnetic codes provided on security threads.

DEFIN ATIONS:

Coercivity: also called the magnetic coercivity, coercive field or coercive force, is a measure of the ability of a ferromagnetic material to withstand an external magnetic field without becoming demagnetized. Coercivity is usually measured in oersted or ampere/meter units and is denoted Oe. Coercivity is usually measured in Oersted (Oe) units to denote the magnetic stripe’s strength or intensity. Coercivity is also known as coercive force. Since the coercive force is much lower for soft magnetic materials, it makes sense to use them for applications where the polarity will be reversed often. The higher coercivity of hard magnetic materials makes them suitable for use where the applied field is insufficient to demagnetize them.

Coercivity refers to the magnetic material’s resistance to becoming demagnetized - therefore, HiCo and LoCo represent different standards of card durability and security.

HiCo: stands for high-coercivity. High-coercivity (HiCo) stripes are magnetically harder .HiCo magnetic stripe cards are typically black in color and they are encoded with a stronger magnetic field (2750 Oersted). The magnetic coercivity ranges from 1250 to 4000 oe for high coercivity. The stronger magnetic field makes HiCo cards more durable because the data encoded on the stripes are less likely to unintentionally be erased when exposed to an outside magnetic field.

LoCo: stands for low-coercivity. Low- coercivity (LoCo) stripes are magnetically softer.LoCo magnetic stripe cards are generally brown in color and they are encoded at a low-intensity magnetic field (300 Oersted). The magnetic coercivity ranges from 100 to 650oe for low coercivity LoCo is best suited for cards used infrequently and/or where data is routinely changed, such as with hotel key cards.

Substrate:A dimensionally stable substrate forms the base of the security thread, may be selected may be selected from PET or PET like material. The substrates may include carrier films or substrate, preferably transparent, flexible plastic films, such as those made of PI, PP, MOPP, PE, PPS, PEEK, PEK, PEI, PSU, PAEK, LCP, PEN, PBT, PET, PA, PC, COC, POM, ABS, PVC, PTFE, ETFE (ethylene tetrafluoroethylene), PFA (tetrafluoro ethyl ene-perfluoropropylvinylether-fluorine copolymer), MFA (tetrafluoromethyl ene-perfluoropropylvinylether-fluorine copolymer); PTFE (polytetrafluoroethylene), PVF (polyvinyl fluoride), PVDF (polyvinylidene fluoride), and EFEP (ethylene-tetrafluoroethylene- hexafluoropropylene-fluorine terpolymer), wherein the substrate/PET film has a thickness in the range of 3 microns to 36 microns, preferably in the range of 6 microns to 24 microns, more preferably in the range of 9 microns to 12 microns.

The present invention relates to security feature based on combination of structured magnetic elements that is composed of different coercivity areas which are applied/deposited/printed adjacent to each other such that they are separated from each other by a separating element without overlapping and without any gaps or space between them so as to provide a more secure and more efficient security thread, with exceptional multiple codes and method of manufacturing the same.

One embodiment of the present invention discloses a magnetic structure combined with additional high coercivity and low coercivity magnetic features which are deposited adjacent to each other yet separated from each other by a separating element such as a magnetic /non magnetic ink such that different coercivity areas do not overlap each other, thereby providing a more secure and more efficient security thread, with exceptional multiple codes, such thatthe said magnetic feature comprise at least two types of magnetic areas which have different coercivity values and whose residual magnetism is identical or different.The difference in coercivity and the identical or different residual magnetism are aimed at generating plurality of different codes.

Further aim of the present invention is to provide encrypted security magnetic feature. In encryptedfeature, the different magnetic inks of high coercivity and low coercivity are printed/coated side by side, wherein the said magnetic inks of high coercivity and low coercivity coated/printed are further separated from each otherby a separating element such as a magnetic /non magnetic ink such that different coercivity areas do not overlap each other and without spaces between them in desired pattern (for example chessboard pattern, zigzag pattern, semi circular pattern, block pattern, strips and many other such combination thereof). By creating such a structural patter without having any space between the magnetic bits, this character of encryptedfeature is to have more complex information density in the different coercivity areas which are deposited adjacent to each other without overlapping and without any gaps or space between them.

By creating such a structural patter, wherein different magnetic inks of high coercivity and low coercivity are printed/coated side by side, wherein the said magnetic inks of high coercivity and low coercivity coated/printed are further separated from each otherby a separating element such as a magnetic / non magnetic ink such that different coercivity areas do not overlap each other and without spaces between them in desired pattern results in obtaining accurate signal while reading the bank note. The magnetic ink coated over the substrate herein may also be referred as different magnetic element, since magnetic ink coated over the substrate have differentcoercivity such as high coercivity and low coercivity magnetic ink.

The structural patter disclosed in the present invention provides a solution, wherein the disadvantage of obtaining mixed signal due to bleeding todifferent magnetic element into each other that eventually results in getting inaccurate signal or mixed signal is completely eliminated.

The encrypted feature herein referred as encryptedcode that is based on a novel magnetic element that provides a complex security structure, wherein the magnetic elements is composed of areas having different coercivity areas that are deposited adjacent to each other and never overlapping between them. Further the magnetic elements is composed of areas having different coercivity areas that are deposited adjacent to each other are further outlined/separated

The present invention discloses a security feature based on magnetic element wherein a particular magnetic ink printed/coated over the entire length on a particular denomination of the banknotes is replaced with encrypted magnetic feature, wherein different magnetic inks of high coercivity and low coercivity are printed/coated side by side, wherein the said magnetic inks of high coercivity and low coercivity coated/printed are further separated from each otherby a separating element or outlined using a magnetic / non magnetic ink such that different coercivity areas do not overlap each other and without spaces between them in desired pattern (for example chessboard pattern, zigzag pattern, semi circular pattern, block pattern, strips and many other such combination thereof). The magnetic inks of high coercivity and low coercivity are outlined or framed using a separator such as a magnetic or non magnetic ink, that helps in easy detection and provides accurate signals while reading the bank notes. By creating a structural patter that does not have any space between the magnetic bits, this character of encrypted feature is able to have more complex/dense information in the different coercivity areas which are deposited adjacent to each other.

A dimensionally stable substrate forms the base of the security thread. According to the present application the substrate may be selected fromlike but not limited to, PET film .

Fig. 1 illustrates a perspective view of the novel encrypted security element (100), wherein one embodiment of the present invention discloses a dimensionally stable substrate that forms the base (101) of the security thread, wherein different magnetic inks of high coercivity (102) and low coercivity (103) are printed/coated side by side wherein the said magnetic inks of high coercivity (102) and low coercivity (103) coated/printed are further separated from each otherby a separating element or outlined using a magnetic or non magnetic ink (104) such that different coercivity areas (102, 103) do not overlap each other and without spaces between them, for example like a chessboard pattern on the said dimensionally stable substrate. The substrate may be selected from PET or PET like material. The substrate that forms the base of the security thread is coated without any gaps or space within the section/area to form a chessboard like pattern. The substrate is coated/printed like a chessboard on the said dimensionally stable substratewith magnetic ink that comprise at least two types of magnetic areas which have different coercivity values and whose residual magnetism is identical or different; the difference in coercivity and the identical or different residual magnetism are aimed at generating different codes. In particular, the magnetic areas are provided by means of magnetic inks whose coercivity is different such that it may be a mix of high coercivity and low coercivity. The magnetic inks of high coercivity and low coercivity are outlined or framed using a separator such as a magnetic or non magnetic ink, that helps in easy detection and provides accurate signals while reading the bank notes. Thus forming an encrypted security feature, this feature maintains the use of two coercivity ink but with a specific layout thereby eliminating the situation encountered in some cases during the production process. Another embodiment of the present invention, is to discreetly place the structured magnetic particles/blocks/graphics/ linear lines in such a manner that it can be read by a pre-designed algorithm to sort the specific nation’s currency as well as denominations.

Yet another embodiment of the present invention, is to print-coat magnetic patters, including graphic, indicia, wrap-around designs and specific blocks at discreet locations to converge and to detect bits, remmiscense and coercivity.

Fig. 2 illustrates yet another embodiment of the novel encrypted security element (100), wherein structured magnetic blocks (102, 103) are discreetly placed in such a manner that it can be read by a pre-designed algorithm to sort the specific nation’s currency as well as denominations. Various combination of encrypted magnetic feature may be created on the substrate/base (101) to increase the complexity, such that combination of structured magnetic elements that is composed of different coercivity areas are deposited adjacent to each other such that they are separated or outlined from each other by a separating element such as magnetic or non magnetic ink (104), without any space or without overlapping each other on the said substrate.

The present invention discloses an encrypted magnetic feature, wherein different magnetic inks of high coercivity and low coercivity are printed /coated side by side without spaces between them like a chessboard. Magnetic element/magnetic ink coated has at least a length ranging from 10- 100mm, preferably ranging from 30- 70mm and more preferably ranging from 50-67mm. Further the coercivity magnetic features are coated /printed by means of magnetic inks whose coercivity ranges from 100 to 650 Oe low coercivity and 1250 to 40000e for high coercivity. More preferably the coercivity magnetic features are coated /printed by means of magnetic inks whose coercivity ranges from 100 to 200 Oe low coercivity and 2000 to 3000 Oe for high coercivity. Further magnetic inks of high coercivity and low coercivity are outlined or framed using a separator such as a magnetic ink, that helps in easy detection and provides accurate signals while reading the bank notes.

Optionally, to increase the detection reliability of the encrypted feature, distinct magnetic areas may be included in banknotes. Further the spaces between the magnetic areas may be incorporated with magnetic or non magnetic ink that acts as a separator for easy detection thereof.By creating such a structural patter that is not having any space between the magnetic bits, this character of encrypted feature is to have a more complex/dense information in different coercivity areas which are deposited adjacent to each other without overlapping.

Encrypted code positioned on the substrate comprises code area that is in a chessboard like pattern and the same is detected in the other reading direction. In particular, the magnetic areas are provided by means of magnetic inks whose coercivity is different (for example 200 Oe for the lowest and 3000 Oe for the highest) and whose residual magnetism can be identical or different depending on the type of coding, equally when they are deposited sequentially, adjacently.

Further detection of the coercivity can be done with a reading sensor that helps to plot the signals which can be detected by a reading sensor, for a security element according to the first embodiment of the present invention. The plots may denote signals that can be detected from all the magnetic areas. Further the plots may denote the signals that can be detected from the magnetic areas with high coercivity, and plots that denotes the signals which can be detected from the magnetic areas with low coercivity.The structural patter as disclosed in the first embodiment provides a solution, wherein the disadvantage of obtaining mixed signal due to bleeding todifferent magnetic element into each other that eventually results in getting inaccurate signal or mixed signal is completely eliminated. The encrypted magnetic security elements coated over the substrate disclosed in the present invention provide a security thread particularly for banknotes, having magnetic elements in which the magnetic difference of the regions provides different magnetic codes provided on security threads. The present invention discloses security thread coated with structured magnets comprising of high coercivity and low coercivity magnetic features to provide a more secure and more efficient security thread, with exceptional multiple codes.

Yet another embodiment of the present invention discloses a method of manufacturing structured magnetic elements that is composed of different coercivity areas which are deposited adjacent to each other such that they are separated from each other by a separating element without overlapping Or without any gaps or space between them..

Fig. 3 illustrates a flow chart describing steps involved in method of manufacturing the novel encrypted security element. The method of manufacturing provides magnetic structure combined with high coercivity and low coercivity magnetic features which are deposited adjacent to each other and yet separated from each other by a separating element such as a magnetic/non magnetic ink such that different coercivity areas do not overlap each other, thereby providing a more secure, more complex and more efficient security thread, with exceptional multiple codes and method of manufacturing the same.

A particular section/defined area of the substrate is printed/coated in the machine direction/vertically up to a specific distance with higher coercivity magnetic material such as magnetic ink having a specific thickness and the another section//defined area of the substrate is printed/coated in the machine direction/vertically up to a specific distance with low coercivity magnetic materials such as magnetic ink having a specificthickness. The thickness of the high coercivity magnetic material and low coercivity magnetic material shall depend on the required magnetic signal/value in nWb/m.

Further said sections/defined area on a given substrate are separated from each other by a separating element such as a magnetic or non magnetic ink such that the different coercivity areas do not overlap each other, thereby providing a more secure, more complex and more efficient security thread, with exceptional multiple codes and method of manufacturing the same.

The section/defined area of the substrate coated with magnetic ink comprise at least two types of magnetic areas which have different coercivity values and whose residual magnetism is identical or different; the difference in coercivity and the identical or different residual magnetism are aimed at generating different codes. In particular, the magnetic areas are provided by means of magnetic inks whose coercivity is different such that it may be a combination of high coercivity and low coercivity printed or coated adjacent to each other, over the dimensionally stable substrate, wherein said combination ofhigh coercivity and low coercivity is further separated by magnetic/non magnetic ink, to form a frame like structure around the mix of high coercivity and low coercivity.

Further the coercivity magnetic features are coated/printed by means of magnetic inks in the form of ink bands, whose magnetic coercivity ranges from 100 to 200 Oe for low coercivity and magnetic coercivity ranges from 2000 to 3000 Oe for high coercivity.

Magnetic inks with high coercivity and magnetic inks with low coercivity can be provided by means of mixtures of oxides or with a single type of oxide, all this being aimed at achieving the different significant coercivity.

Magnetic / non -magnetic element that forms the separator that outlines at least two types of magnetic areas which have different coercivity values and whose residual magnetism is identical or different, may be selected from magnetic ink, cobalt, graphene, and can be printed in the form of ink bands as outlines that has a thickness that is less that the thickness of the ink bands that are formed by high coercivity magnetic ink and low coercivity magnetic ink.More preferably graphene can be printed in the form of ink bands as outlines or separators, that separates at least two types of magnetic areas which have different coercivity values and whose residual magnetism is identical or different.

Once the improved security element is formed on the security film, said security film undergoes slitting to form security thread that is further silted into small rolls, which further under goes micro slitting and rewinded for further incorporation into the valuable documents such as bank notes.

The security thread thus provided, detected by the sensors as described and therefore encodes a unique code in a structured manner, in a requisite format along with high and low coercivity magnetic features that exist in a single banknote, can be used for example by different devices intended for different operators, such as a commercial banks.

It is noted that the security element according to the present invention can be for example a security thread or a security ribbon or stripe.Moreover, the security element according to the present invention can comprise, on at least one of its sides, holographic and/or color-shifting and/or mono- or multifluorescent images. In practice it has been found that the security element according to the present invention fully achieves the intended aim and objects. The security element thus conceived is susceptible of numerous modifications and variations, all of which are within the scope of the present invention.

The above description is intended to describe the preferred embodiments of the invention in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention. The above description is intended to be illustrative and should not be interpreted as limiting the scope of the invention. Those skilled in the art to which the invention relates will appreciate that many variations of the described example implementations and other implementations exist within the scope of what has been described herein.