EP0829826B1 - Device for making valuable documents - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a machine for the decentralized production and output of documents, with which, after providing value units representing the equivalent value of a document, the document is individualized and provided with a machine-testable authenticity code. The invention further relates to a system and a method for producing such documents.

Today, it is becoming more and more common to offer user-related documents, such as business cards, address stickers, etc., in self-cashing vending machines. Often the customer can choose between different document types and layouts.

Such a vending machine is for example from the EP 0 448 601 B1 known. Here a vending machine for various customer-specific documents, such as business cards or parcel labels is described, in which the customer communicates with the machine via a monitor and a microprocessor system. He selects the type of document that determines the format of the document, the text and the layout via a menu. After entering the number of documents required, the vending machine calculates if its stock of material is sufficient and determines the price. This is communicated to the customer via an advertisement, which can then initialize the printout and the output of the documents by paying the purchase price.

The advantage of this sales system is that the documents can be produced immediately and on the spot. In addition, the machines can be set up in many places that are heavily frequented by the public and used around the clock. Long waiting and delivery times are therefore avoided.

In the EP 0 171 380 In this context, a ticket vending machine is disclosed which checks the quality of preprinted or vending printed tickets prior to issuing the tickets.

However, documents requiring a high level of security are not distributed through these known vending machines because of the high risk of theft and fraud, although, given the advantages of this vending system, even with monetary documents, such as those described in U.S. Pat. Tickets for sporting or cultural events, tickets, tokens etc. would be desirable. However, the falsification rate of these highly coveted documents has risen sharply in recent years, not least because of the increasing quality of color copiers, so that the trend went in the opposite direction. Attempts have been made to counter counterfeiting with the help of special security features, which require a great deal of technical and financial effort and can usually only be manufactured and brought to or into the documentary material in specialized companies. The production of counterfeit-proof documents ready for sale is therefore usually carried out centrally in the companies specialized in this field. There, document material, often paper, is already provided with security features during manufacture, such as security threads, planchettes, etc., which carry one or more substances having a visually or machine-testable physical property, such as fluorescence or magnetism. Subsequently, the document material is provided with a purpose corresponding to the imprint. A popular security feature, especially in the area of tickets, is also hologram labels, which show a viewing-angle-dependent color effect that can not be reproduced by copiers and which are adhered to the document material before or after printing.

In addition, to ensure that no genuine neutral document material or finished monetary documents can fall into the wrong hands, the production takes place in a secure and strictly guarded environment.

However, this type of document production has the disadvantage that in principle a pre-production is necessary, which requires a calculation of the expected sales volume of a very specific document.

The invention is based on the object of providing an automatic machine which makes it possible to produce counterfeit-proof documents of different types at decentralized outlets or vending machines.

The solution to this problem arises from the independent claims. Further developments can be found in the dependent claims.

The invention is based on the idea of using security document material having authenticity information as a base material in an automatic machine and additionally providing in the machine a security module which is suitable for generating a document specific authenticity code and its application to the document to be produced provides. That is, a verifiable relationship is established between the actual document material and the printing or production of the document. Only by writing the authenticity code, the document material becomes a "real" document, which corresponds to a certain monetary value.

According to a preferred embodiment, it is a Selbstkassierenden vending machine, for example, has security paper in an endless form as a starting material for the production of documents. The security paper contains at least one authentication information which has been generated by means of a feature substance on or in the paper. The term "feature substance" in this context refers to substances which have a machine-testable property, such as. B. magnetism, Luminescence or electrical conductivity. The authenticity information can be, for example, a specific print pattern, a number, a specific distribution of the feature substance or the like which, with the aid of a printing ink having particular physical properties, such as luminescence or magnetism, etc., onto the finished paper or into the still wet one Paper web was introduced. The authentication information may also be random information that varies from document to document. Likewise, it is conceivable to use a property inherent in the document material as authenticity information, which makes it possible to check the authenticity of the starting material. In the case of a security paper with a security thread, which is virtually woven into the paper during its production, a so-called window security thread, this could be, for example, a characteristic watermark structure occurring in the thread area.

In addition to the usual functional modules known from the prior art, such as, for example, a printer or output mechanism, the automaton also contains a reading device with which the authenticity information can be detected and thus readable. The read authenticity information is then processed in a security module arranged in the machine, possibly including other provided on the document data to a passcode. This authenticity code is finally stored on the document via a corresponding writing device. This may be the printing device usually provided, which provides the particular document information, such as price, intended use, etc., on the document and, in this case, prints the authenticity code in the form of visually recognizable information, eg a bar code, on the document. However, the information can also be luminescent or absorbing via a separate printing device with the aid of a visually invisible but outside the visual spectral range Printing ink to be generated. Likewise, it is conceivable to write the authenticity information in a storage medium provided on the document material, such as a magnetic strip or a chip.

The machine may also include a monitor or gage and a keypad through which the customer can communicate with the system and input his or her specific wishes regarding the document to be produced. He can in this way e.g. determine the nature of the document and other related details (for example, a specific date for a trade fair visit or specific seat in a particular concert). Once the document has been finished and cut out of the continuous material, it is output to the customer through a dispensing mechanism.

In self-checking vending machines, the initialization of the manufacturing process of a document takes place only after the units of value representing the equivalent value of the document, i. the purchase price, were accepted by the machine. Payment can be made by cash or electronic means, e.g. using smart cards, magnetic cards, etc., depending on which payment system the operator of the machine wants to use.

However, the vending machines can also operate without a money input module at remote outlets in an inherently unprotected environment, e.g. Kiosks, ticket agencies or ticket offices are used. In this case, the manufacture and the data entry regarding the document requested by the customer will be carried out by a third party who will also sell the document.

When selling numerically limited documents, such as tickets, at several vending machines, it makes sense, via a central online connection to ensure that the individual documents are not sold multiple times.

According to a further embodiment, the authenticity information of the document material read by the vending machine can also be forwarded to a central processing unit. This generates the authenticity code and passes it to the vending machine. As already described, the authenticity code is stored on or in the context of the production of the document.

An alternative variant of the invention provides to provide the document material with an additional visible marking which describes the authenticity information. This could be, for example, a visually visible barcode imprint. In this case, the machine need only have a device that can read the readable label. The vending machine sends the read tag to a local security module or central processing unit, which then calculates the authentication code and sends the result back to the machine. The transmission of the data preferably takes place in encrypted form.

The forgery-proof documents produced according to the invention can now be checked in a simple manner by machine at the desired location, eg in the entrance area of theaters, stadiums, means of transport etc., where the confirmation of the authenticity is used as an admission or other decision criterion. The tester also reads the authentication information of the document, recalculates the authentication code and compares the calculated code with that stored on the document. If they match, the document is real.

In particular, each vending machine can be provided with such a test unit. This also allows the buyer of the document to perform an authenticity check independently of the point of sale.

The sales system according to the invention therefore has the advantage that the unprocessed genuine document material can not be used for the production of supposedly genuine documents if it gets into unlawful hands, e.g. by using the material for color copy forgeries. In any case, a color copy would give a negative result at the corresponding test station because no authenticity code is stored on the document and would therefore be easily recognizable as a forgery.

Due to the high security against forgery of the documents, the machines according to the invention can also be used for the rapid on-site production and issuing of official documents, such as identity documents, passports, visas, etc. In this way long waiting times and cumbersome official channels in public authorities could be avoided.

Further advantages and embodiments of the invention will be explained below with reference to the figures. It should be noted that the figures merely contain a schematic representation of the essential components of the invention.

Fig.1

schematische Darstellung der wichtigsten Funktionsmodule der erfindungsgemäßen Vorrichtung,

Fig. 2

erfindungsgemäßer Verfahrensablauf zur Herstellung eines Dokuments,

Fig. 3

Prüfverfahren für ein nach dem erfindungsgemäßen Verfahren hergestelltes Dokument.

Show it:

Fig.1

schematic representation of the main functional modules of the device according to the invention,

Fig. 2

Method according to the invention for producing a document,

Fig. 3

Test method for a document produced by the method according to the invention.

Fig. 1 The central controller 1 monitors and coordinates the entire operation of the machine 10. In addition to the usual components, memory 2 for the document material and output module 3 for the finished document, each of the machine 10 according to the invention has a reader. 4 , a security module 5 and a writing device 6. These components 4, 5, 6 are used for the authenticity marking of the document to be produced. The operation of these devices is elsewhere based on Fig. 2 explained.

The document material may be in the memory 2 in endless or curved form or already as a single-use in the form of the later document. The term document material here covers any material, but in particular paper, plastics or any mixtures of these materials. Also multilayer document materials are conceivable.

If the documents have specific data (eg seat numbers, etc.), or the machine 10 can produce different types of documents, such as tickets or entrance cards, etc., the machine 10 also usefully has at least one keyboard 7 or also a monitor in order to communicate to be able to ensure with the operator of the machine.

Of course, in the case of a cash dispensing machine, a cash input device 8 must also be provided. This may be a cash acceptor who accepts coins and / or banknotes and under certain circumstances checks for authenticity. However, they are conceivable Other known payment systems that use magnetic stripe cards or smart cards.

Optionally, a printer 9 may additionally be provided which prints the document material with the document-specific, visually readable data.

For specific applications requiring an online connection to a central office, a modem 11 can be installed. This can e.g. be necessary in the creation of tickets, etc., since in this case must be ensured that a document can not be sold multiple times.

In Fig. 2 the process sequence according to the invention for the production of a document is shown schematically. It is assumed that this is a self-cashed machine, which accordingly has a cash input device.

The customer selects via the keyboard 7 the desired document type or enters the desired document data. After the machine 10 has displayed the price to be paid to the customer via the existing monitor, the latter must provide the machine 10 with the desired purchase price either in cash or electronically. Only when the machine 10 has ensured that the cash input 8 has taken place is the production process initialized (step 12). If payment of the purchase price is not made within a certain period of time, then the machine switches off or displays a corresponding message on the monitor 7.

After the initialization of the manufacturing process 12, document material is transported from the store 2 into the system and the reader 4 is activated. This detects the authenticity information present in the document material, which is preferably represented by means of a feature substance.

In this case, for example, the distribution of the feature substance can give the authenticity information to be read (step 13). Like in the Fig. 2 indicated by the dashed line, in the reader 4 or separately, a check logic may be present, which verifies the authenticity of the read authenticity information (step 14). If the authenticity is negated, this leads to demolition 17 of the manufacturing process. This test step 14 ensures that the document material used is authorized, genuine document material. In the next step 15 takes place in the security module 5, the calculation of the authenticity code. The calculation is done using certain keys (step 18) that are either stored in the security module 5 itself or can be retrieved from a central location via a modem connection 11 every time a document is produced. If necessary, document-specific data (20) entered by the customer via the keyboard 7 can also be included in the calculation of the authenticity code. The authenticity code thus calculated is stored in the next step 16 on the document. This can be done by simply printing a barcode with visually visible or luminescent ink. Also conceivable are machine-readable numbers, letter codes, etc. If the document is equipped with a magnetic strip or a chip, the storage of the authenticity code can also take place in one of these electronic elements. Subsequently, the document material can be completed in further processing steps 19 as usual. In a last step, issue 3 of the document takes place.

In Fig. 3 Finally, the procedure is shown when checking the document. For example, the exam may take place at the entrance to a sporting or cultural event or with identity documents the appropriate control bodies. Under certain circumstances, it may also be useful to equip each machine with a test unit in order to offer the buyer the opportunity to verify the authenticity of any document acquired from a third party.

In this case, the document to be tested is inserted in or past a reader, which essentially corresponds to the one in Fig. 1 shown reader 4 corresponds. This again detects or reads the authenticity information stored in the document material (step 21). As already described in connection with the reader 4, an examination of the authenticity of the authenticity information (step 22) can take place here. If, for example, the reader is unable to discover the necessary feature substance, this leads to demolition 26 or to the decision that the documentary material is not genuine. If the test is positive, the authenticity code is recalculated using the same key (step 23, 27). In parallel, the authenticity code stored in the document is read (step 28) and made available to the tester. This compares in step 24 the recalculated with the stored authentication code. If the codes match, the tester displays the authenticity of the document, of course, if it does not match, the information that it is a wrong document.

If all documents produced are stored centrally and there is an online connection between the individual test stations and the central unit, not only the correspondence between the stored and the newly calculated authenticity code can be checked with each test, but it can additionally be determined whether such a document exists at all was produced.

Furthermore, even in the case of testing, the keys can be stored centrally and transferred to the testing station only when needed.

Claims (30)

1. A machine (10) for producing and outputting documents in decentralized fashion, with which machine the document is individualized and equipped with a machine-verifiable authenticity code after value units representing the equivalent value of a document have been supplied, said machine consisting of the following components:

   - a storage apparatus (2) for neutral document material with at least one authenticity information item,

   - a reading apparatus (4) with which the authenticity information is detectable and the authenticity information is consequently readable,

   - a security module (5) in which the authenticity information is processed (15) to form an authenticity code,

   - a writing apparatus (6) with which the authenticity code is applied (16) to the document material,

   - an outputting apparatus (3) for the finished document.
2. The machine (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that the neutral document material is unprinted security paper.
3. The machine (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that the neutral document material is security paper with a printed basic information item, such as e.g. a logo.
4. The machine (10) according to any of the claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the authenticity information is represented by means of a feature substance having at least one machine-verifiable physical property.
5. The machine (10) according to claim 4, characterized in that the feature substance is a magnetic or luminescent substance.
6. The machine (10) according to at least one of the claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the machine has a verification apparatus for verifying the authenticity of the document material.
7. The machine (10) according to at least one of the claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the code computation (15) in the security module (5) takes place with the aid of keys (18) which are stored centrally and transferred to the machine only when required.
8. The machine (10) according to at least one of the claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the security module (5) processes the authenticity information together with at least a part of further data provided on the document to form the authenticity code.
9. The machine (10) according to at least one of the claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the writing apparatus (6) applies further information to the document material besides the authenticity code.
10. The machine (10) according to at least one of the claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the writing apparatus (6) is a printing apparatus or a laser inscription apparatus.
11. The machine (10) according to at least one of the claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the authenticity code is applied to the document material as a machine-readable code.
12. The machine (10) according to at least one of the claims 1 to 11, characterized in that the authenticity code is stored in a memory medium disposed on or in the document material.
13. The machine (10) according to claim 12, characterized in that the authenticity code is stored in a magnetic strip or a memory chip.
14. The machine (10) according to at least one of the claims 1 to 13, characterized in that the machine has a selection apparatus via which the document type can be selected from a multiplicity of document types.
15. The machine (10) according to at least one of the claims 1 to 14, characterized in that the machine has an input apparatus (7) via which data to be applied to the document can be input.
16. The machine (10) according to at least one of the claims 1 to 15, characterized in that the machine has a device for accepting the value units corresponding to the equivalent value of the document.
17. The machine (10) according to claim 16, characterized in that the device has an apparatus for processing the equivalent value electronically.
18. The machine (10) according to claim 16, characterized in that the device is a cash input apparatus.
19. The machine (10) according to claim 18, characterized in that the cash input apparatus has a verification apparatus for verifying the authenticity of the cash.
20. The machine (10) according to at least one of the claims 1 to 19, characterized in that the document material is present in endless form in the machine.
21. The machine (10) according to at least one of the claims 1 to 20, characterized in that the machine has a cutting device which cuts the inscribed document material to the format desired for the document type.
22. The machine (10) according to at least one of the claims 1 to 21, characterized in that the machine has a verification device with which the authenticity of the document can be verified on the basis of the authenticity code.
23. A method for producing and outputting documents in decentralized fashion in a machine, in which method neutral document material having at least one authenticity information item making possible a verification of the authenticity of the document material is supplied in the machine, and, after value units representing the equivalent value of the document have been supplied, the following method steps take place:

    - detection and reading (13) of the authenticity information,

    - processing (15) of the authenticity information to form an authenticity code while using key information items (18),

    - applying (16) the authenticity code to the document material,

    - outputting (3) the finished document.
24. The method according to claim 23, characterized in that the method sequence is stopped when the authenticity information cannot be detected or read.
25. The method according to claim 23 or 24, characterized in that the authenticity information is represented by means of a feature substance having at least one machine-verifiable physical property.
26. The method according to at least one of the claims 23 to 25, characterized in that the key information items (18) are stored in the machine.
27. The method according to at least one of the claims 23 to 25, characterized in that the machine is connected with a central computing unit.
28. The method according to claim 27, characterized in that the key information items (18) are stored in the central computing unit and can be retrieved by the machine for each production process.
29. The method according to claim 27, characterized in that in the central computing unit all produced documents are stored and before the production of a new document a verification takes place whether an identical document was already created.
30. A system for producing documents, having at least one first decentralized device and at least one second central device that communicates with the first device, characterized in that the decentralized device has the following components:

    - a storage apparatus (2) for neutral document material with at least one authenticity information item, as well as a marking corresponding to said authenticity information,

    - a reading apparatus (4) with which the marking corresponding to the authenticity information can be read,

    - a writing apparatus (6), with which at least one authenticity code is applied to the document material,

    - an outputting apparatus (3) for the finished document,

    and in that the central device has a security module (5) in which, on the basis of the marking read and transmitted to the central unit by the decentralized device, the authenticity code is generated.

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