Method for assuring the tracing of acts of copying and assembly of information carriers.

p0001The present invention relates to: - A process to ensure traceability of copy actions on information carriers in which a payload is a subordinate of this essentially inseparable identification, - The method of providing identification over a range of an information carrier for payload obgenannter as for a freezing order proceedings, - A set of information carriers or subsets of information carriers, each carrier having a portion for receiving payload information, and distributed over a substantial part of the range, the transmitter is provided an identification marking, - Information carrier, with a distributed on at least one recordable area identification, such as part of the just mentioned set - A copy-paper sheet.

p0002For many information carrier genera, such tapes, computer disks, etc., protection measures are known, so that the proposed on such carriers of information can not even be copied. For carriers upon which the information is applied by visual information contrasts, such as paper sheet, on which the information is written, it is known from CH-PS 645 308, distributed over a region of the sheet, which is provided for receiving the information to provide a print pattern, which then makes it clear recognizable only when photocopying, for example, distributed across the sheet, occurs in appearance and, for example, the word "copy" in the copy. So probably a present carrier is labeled with the information as a copy, but copying per se can not be prevented, just as in the aforementioned other information carriers in which, for example, for reasons of cost or because of related technical complexity, a real copy protection will be omitted.

p0003Furthermore, it is known from DE-OS 33 25 116 is known to a writing sheet or security paper, which provided for example with a conventional typewriter payload to subordinate a rasterized identification, such that this identification is included when copying actions. It is thus achieved that remains detectable from a copy, where the origin of the useful information was provided writing paper is used only there, with said identification.

p0004The present invention is now based on the following problem:

p0005If information carriers with identical payload, for example, writing with the same text, are distributed from an originating point to multiple recipients and afterwards somewhere an illegal copy is found, it is so far not possible to identify the origin of the copy action by the origin of the editor of may be useful information or any of the mentioned receiver. Thus, the present invention provides for the task to be able to identify from a copy of an information carrier that point, was copied in. Of course, a copy is thus obtained indirectly.

p0006To achieve this goal, the present invention is directed to a freezing method the type mentioned above, and it triggers ACCORDING to the wording of the characterizing part of claim. 1

p0007Namely chosen differently in distribution of carriers with identical payload to recipient identification for each recipient, so it is possible from a copy of the payload and the ID readily thanks to the identification, to determine who the copy, and especially the illegally copied point was.

p0008For example, while the only he makes of the CH-PS 645 308 known technique for copying a copy identified that it is a copy, but it can not be stated, where the copy was made and during PURSUANT TO DE-OS 33 25 116 a copy is only seen that previously eventually a point used in the manufacturing chain of species of a paper with the provided identification is made recognizable in accordance with the present invention, where the copy was made.

p0009Preferably process in another according to the wording of claim. 2 If the identification is provided so that they bad interpretable is used as the payload, thus in contrast to the proposal according to claim 2 wherein copying of the carrier, namely, so can by copying and re-copying of the copy, etc., hereinafter referred to as Rekopieren be finally achieved that probably the payload is still interpretable, but not the identification, which then finding the illegally copied instance is impossible.

p0010If the carrier is formed as to receive visual information contrasts, for example, a paper sheet to be described, it is further proposed to proceed according to the wording of claim. 3 Here the word is "subordinate" to be understood in the sense that the distributed identification on the support as occurs in appearance that provided on the carrier payload is interpreted, for example, without too much effort remains readable. The same procedure is also generally at a carrier for other types of information, such as in a magnetic tape have been proposed.

p0011As mentioned above, are, for example, according to CH-PS 645 308 or DE-OS 33 25 116, information support, particularly paper sheets, are known in which a payload one of these essentially inseparable ID is subordinate. In such vehicles, in particular those according to the aforementioned DE-OS, it is possible at any time, and just to make sense of providing this identification at any time and by anyone that recognizable.

p0012In such an information carrier for receiving visual information contrasts is now proposed according to the invention to proceed according to the method of claim 4, wherein this particular method, used generally for information carriers, in which there is a need to contain the Gebraucher the proposed ID, awarded for the top mentioned method for ensuring traceability of copy actions is. Namely, by allowing the authority which could possibly be tempted to copy the it receives arrived individual specimen, its own identification can not detect by using only the issuing unit, for example, know where are the actual identification symbols within the area on the carrier , For this purpose, can be retained, for example, at the issuing office a mask for masking the non-identification of serving symbols on the carrier.

p0013Carriers of information for receiving visual information contrasts there is still a need to provide techniques which allow, on the one hand by means of identification to identify a copy as such and on the other hand this does not affect the readability of the intended payload significantly. This according to the invention is achieved by a method of providing an identification according to wording of claim 5, wherein, of course, this method is excellent to be used on carriers in connection with the above-mentioned method for ensuring traceability.

p0014The provision of a pattern close to each other running lines gives the range of the carrier, a uniform appearance and also by the local changes of the pattern as small bulges in continuous line, for example, the reading of Scripture as information payload, little disturbed.

p0015Closely following the above-mentioned method of providing identification by means of symbols, which are randomly provided on the area and from which by means of a masking technique the identification defining symbols practically "filtered" If, according to the invention is a method according to wording of claim 6 for providing proposed an identification features of identification art are provided in which the entire region, yet one the Gebraucher not known subregion is defined, in which, provided the predetermined characteristics that define the identification. This process is of course excellent for use on carriers for the former method for ensuring traceability of copy actions.

p0016By proceeding according to the wording of claim 7, this is the provision of the identification of, or in connection with the above-mentioned procedures to ensure traceability, the following is achieved: There is a requirement that at at copying the support with the applied information, the information Rekopieren the carrier is uninterpretable with ID later than simultaneously. Considering the many, known copy techniques that have particular partly direction-specific characteristics, obtained by procedure according to this claim, the possibility that this requirement is when met a copying technology in a sub-area in other copying equipment in another subregion, because unterschhiedlichen alignment of the proposed line pattern.

p0017To generally in an information carrier, wherein an identification is provided, which should remain interpretable in Rekopieren as the intended payload on the support is furthermore proposed according to the invention, to proceed according to the wording of claim. 8

p0018Namely, for example, when a sheet of paper with writing information, the identification marking transversely applied by the Nutzinformationsschrift pass through local thickening or thinning of the lines of writing, the above-named requirement is ensured either occur in the continued Rekopieren only the identifiers defining thickening of the typeface evident, or they may cause the thinning spots on white bodies, which in turn define the ID until the payload has disappeared.

p0019Alternatively, the process according to claim 8 when writing information through targeted changes of letter shapes, spacings, etc. are realized. Such changes can, barely visible to the reader of the information, making the identification is readily apparent. This method of an information carrier are particularly suitable for support for visual contrast information as for paper sheet, onto which information drawn or written. However, the above method can also be used for other vehicles: For example, in magnetic tapes for analog or digital information readily and to on the same support area on which the analog or digital information mentioned is applied, are provided a the specimen identifying "noise" in such a manner that thereby the read-out of the applied information is not disturbed or only insignificantly. It should be emphasized that diglich the interpretation of the information has to be ensured with so to be protected carriers le. Whether a speech signal on a tape in addition sprachfrequentes mithörbar noise is temporarily or audible, in view of the classified speech information and the importance of this classification is immaterial.

p0020Even last-mentioned method of providing identification of a payload provided with an information carrier according to wording of claim 8 or 9 is of course extremely well suited to be used with the aforementioned method for ensuring traceability.

p0021To meet the above-named further the object with respect to traceability of copy actions is according to wording of claim 11 according to the invention proposes a set of information carriers.

p0022Preferred embodiments of such a sentence are specified in claims 12 to 18, wherein appropriates according to claims 13 to 16 and 18 that there specified for the set design of the information carrier according to the invention to other uses for the information carrier.

p0023The invention will be explained by example with reference to figures.

p0024Show it:<ul><li>Figure 1 schematically shows the distribution process known carrier identified specimens,</li><li>2 schematically shows the inventive distribution inventively embodied copies of a carrier with an applied information,</li><li>3a-d each a section of an inventive carrier for visual information contrasts, as, from a sheet of paper with writing information-subordinate identification features</li><li>4 schematically shows a design on a novel carrier, the identification by the word itself, that is provided on the applied information of the carrier, and the result of his Rekopierens,</li><li>Figure 5 is a schematic view of an inventive carrier for recording visual contrast information with a plurality patterning subregions,</li><li>Figure 6 schematically shows a plurality of identification features, which are distributed over the area of ​​a support shown in the preferred example of a carrier for visual information contrasts, such as a paper sheet, wherein the identification is given only by specified features from the feature variety.</li></ul>

p0025In Fig. 1, 1 shows an information carrier such as a paper sheet, a magnetic tape, a computer disk, schematically shown, on which in a range 3, the carrier genus accordingly, information such as a signature, analog or digital signals, is recorded. Usually, has such a support 1 with the area 3 for the information recording a predetermined identification section 5, in which case the important information a copy ID is entered before the carrier 1 is distributed as a carrier copies 1a and 1b at Gebraucher A, B, etc.. According to FIG. 1 is the specimen 1a for example, the identification note A1001, the copy 1b with the identification note A1020 at the issuing office, provided prior to distribution. Now it goes without saying that, if the receiving site A or B will copy the their undelivered copies 1a or 1b, is the identification field 5 not mitduplizieren or at least it provided identification labeling will cover, is thus no longer eruierbar with such copies 1ac whether they have been copied from the point a or the point B, whereby a respects, the corresponding position becomes impossible.

p0026In FIG. 2, the inventive process is now illustrated schematically in general form.

p0027In Fig. 2, in turn, is a carrier 1 with a schematically illustrated section 3, in turn, presented to receive further information supplied bender. The initial copy of the information, as shown, distributed to at least two receivers A and B. Here each of the receivers A and B receive a copy 1a and 1b with the same, provided in the region 3 information. According to the invention but an identification tag 5a or 5b so distributed over at least a substantial part of the area 3, that removal of, as a separating or covering this identification tag 5a or 5b is not possible to copy the information contained in the region third Thus, as shown schematically, now shown in FIG. 2, distributed to the receiver A notified copy, in areas 3, provided the identification characteristics A1001, where the point B undelivered copies in the corresponding region 3 the identification characteristics A1020. As shown in the schematic example of FIG. 2, the above-mentioned identification mark on the corresponding regions 3 are dispersed. The publisher of this distributed copies 1a, 1b knows thereby the respective identification.

p0028Now, if one of the receivers A and B copies the supplied him arrived instance, it is readily possible, starting from such a copy should be investigated to which was the copy location. This Identi fikationsmöglichkeit results already prophylactically a high copy protection.

p0029This inventive approach can be used for all the above mentioned purposes before copying to be protected disk principle. In this example, come into consideration magnetic tapes, diskettes, documents sheets etc. It is essential that the identification mark is intrinsically provided by applied on the support information in the same vehicle range and also of the same class, that is, for example, an analog signal stored an analog signal stored is so copying of such a carrier, here figuratively, the identification mark can not be separated from the information, as this could be done electronically, for instance by filtering. But on the other hand, must be underlain the identification tag of the information that during the reading of information whose unique interpretation is possible.

p0030Furthermore, the inventive approach to the preferred example of a carrier for recording visual contrasts is described as information such as a paper sheet to be created for documents or on a document itself.

p0031FIGS. 3a-d show four possible variants, such as an identification marking, for example shown as an alphanumeric symbol A here, preferably on such a sheet is provided.

p0032The bow here only partially shown with a nationwide print pattern, as shown, preferably a line pattern 7, covered. Shown is principally a pattern of parallel straight lines. This for illustrative simplicity.

p0033When pattern but is preferably a as shown in Fig. 3a above at 7a shown Mäanderlinienmuster. The identification tags or symbols 9 are applied at such a patterned sheet by a local change of the pattern. Thus, according to FIG. 3 of the example illustrated identification letter A through local thickening of the line pattern 7 is applied. According to FIG. 3b is the identification symbol 9b, in turn, for example, an A, applied by local interruptions or reduction of line pattern contrast. According to FIG. 3c is the identification feature 9c applied by local change of the line progression of the pattern 7, while under Fig. 3d the identification feature is 9d applied by local displacement of the line pattern.

p0034In all four examples, in continuation to the sequence of letters A - F a coating applied to the paper sheet header information 10, for example shown, and it will be seen already in this simplified for purposes of illustration design, such as the identification tag 9 visually superimposed on the applied information 10th

p0035In order to prevent that shown in copy of such a carrier, such as in Fig. 3, then in copying the copy etc., ie Rekopieren of the carrier, whereby more and more, the contrast of the line pattern and the contrast of the information 10 disappears, the identification tag 9 earlier than the information not be interpretable, the identification mark 9 must be designed so that the latter remains at least as long to interpret as the information 10, which, by appropriate design, in particular in the manner according to Fig. 3a, b, c, and d is readily possible.

p0036Another way to accomplish this last-mentioned requirement is shown in Fig. 4. Here an information lettering 12 is provided on the field. 3 Through local thickening 14 at this information lettering 12 this lettering is 12 the identification marking underlain. As shown in Fig. 4 right seen these 12 easy contrast-enhanced games 14 finally remain in applying the information lettering at the aforementioned Rekopieren practically alone in the copy, and it is, as shown in phantom, of these remaining rekopierten parts 14b anytime identification reconstructed, even if has already disappeared when said Rekopieren information lettering 12 or another recording. Instead of the illustrated reinforcement 14 may also be a local contrast attenuation are used.

p0037In this case, the technique described in CH-PS 645 308 to other purposes according to the invention is set to be, which is intended, in addition to the information on a sheet of paper contrast information applied only at the electrographic copying to make visible at all. The procedure is analogous to the description for FIGS. 3, however, for example, additionally printed a guilloche on the range, in a color that is outside the reproduction assets electrographic copiers and thus practically as Sichttarnung the prescribed identification tag according to the present invention operates. In this regard, fully drawn to the technique described in this patent.

p0038In FIG. 5, an entire region 3 acting as an information carrier according to the invention arc illustrated. Here, the range 3 3 is divided into several sub-areas 15, which, for example, alternately, in accordance with different patterns 7 Fig. Are covered. As shown in FIG. 5, is preferably to proceed such that nowhere is adjacent a pattern of a sub-area of ​​a similar pattern of another subregion. This is achieved while in Fig. 5 subregion pattern example shown by the fact that the line pattern in a sub-section 15 vertically, the other is horizontal and each having a lower portion 15 is only to two other sub-regions 15 immediately adjacent.

p0039In these sub-regions 15, the identification mark is as shown 3 with reference to FIG. 5 and only partially and only shown schematically in FIG. 9, for example, applied in the form of symbols as alphanumeric. As shown in Fig. 5 can also be seen, different orientations and techniques can be used for applying these 3 plate 9 in a considered sub region 15, with respect to the model provided, according to FIG.. The illustrated in Fig. 5 different orientation of the identifiers 9 in a subregion and with respect to the there, for example, provided for the line pattern 15 results in increased certainty that the Rekopieren, depending on the selected printing method, the one or another representation technique of identification features retain interpreted as the ( not shown here) information on the area 3. Proceeding even in each of the subregions 15 another basic pattern and a different application technique for the identification tag 9 to be applied, whereby the mentioned security is further increased, namely that the Rekopieren mentioned at least in a substantial part the area 3, the identification tag if possible even stay longer to interpret than those on the region 3 applied information.

p0040If you want to prevent the receiver A or B according to FIG. 2 know their ID, so can such as in Fig. 6 schematically illustrates proceed. In the area 3, a number plate is provided 17 in the example with reference to FIG. 3 illustrated art. Of this number, license plate 17 but are only certain identification. The publisher of the protected specimens knows this, which provided for indicator 17, and possibly also in what order, provides the identification, by, for example, shown schematically in Fig. 6, with respect to a reference point P of the area 3 of the publisher, the x / y coordinate each identification symbol familiar with their order. He knows therefore indicated in Fig. 6 in parentheses localization sizes, which, following this example, the identification of the variety provided symbols 17 AC5 clear eruierbar.

p0041With the present invention it is thus possible to achieve that the origin of an unauthorized copy of action remain retrievable, so that the inhibition to make such unauthorized copying, is substantially increased.