Activatable Security Product Using Color Particle Activation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for producing colored markings on security documents limit design variation and require lamination after representation creation, making personalization at the issuing office logistically challenging and vulnerable to forgery.

Innovation Solution

An activatable security product using color particles that become permanently visually perceptible upon electromagnetic radiation, allowing for localized and secure pattern creation within the document, enabling multicolored representations without the need for pre-lamination.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If colored markings are created on security documents using existing methods, then the document can be personalized, but the design variation is limited and lamination is required after representation creation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedesign variationVSAvoidprocess complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention segments the color formation process into two independent components: colorless precursor particles embedded in the document substrate, and activation by electromagnetic radiation. This segmentation allows the document to be personalized without lamination, as the color appears in-situ when activated by appropriate radiation, enabling extensive design variation while simplifying the overall process

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The color particles are pre-embedded in the document substrate in a colorless or lightly colored state before personalization is needed. This preliminary action allows the document to be prepared in advance with the capability for later customization, eliminating the need for post-representation lamination and enabling flexible design changes

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Ease of operation

If personalization is performed at the issuing office using existing methods, then individualizing information can be added, but logistical challenges and vulnerability to forgery increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepersonalization capabilityVSAvoidsecurity against forgery
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The invention introduces colorless precursor particles as an intermediary substance that remains inactive until activated by electromagnetic radiation at the issuing office. This allows personalization to be performed securely at the point of issuance, as the particles can be activated only with specific radiation that is difficult to replicate, thereby enhancing security against forgery while maintaining ease of operation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the optical parameter of the color particles from colorless or lightly colored to vividly colored through activation by electromagnetic radiation. This parameter change occurs only under controlled conditions at the issuing office, ensuring that personalization can be performed easily while the resulting colored markings are secure against unauthorized alteration or forgery

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Manufacturing precision

If black-and-white images are used for identification, then the document can be produced, but identification accuracy and resistance to imitation are reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveidentification accuracyVSAvoidimitation and forgery
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The invention uses colorless or lightly colored particles that transform into vividly colored markings upon activation by electromagnetic radiation. This color change capability enables the creation of multi-colored representations such as facial images with high identification accuracy, while the requirement for specific activation radiation makes imitation and forgery significantly more difficult compared to traditional black-and-white images

Inventive Principle:
Principle #32Color changes

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Enables extensive design variation and secure, permanent visual perception of patterns within the document, enhancing authenticity and difficulty in imitation or falsification.

Implementation Method 1

colored particles which are designed to produce an optically imperceptible or an optically barely perceptible feature prior to activation of the valuable or security product; The valuable or security product can be activated by means of electromagnetic radiation in that a security feature formed by the colored particles becomes permanently optically perceptible

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAbsorption (EM radiation): Absorption (EM radiation)

Implementation Method 2

The laser radiation is absorbed in the shell and/or in the core, so that the color particles are heated and destroyed by the laser radiation, in that the colorant is released, thereby forming corresponding colored spots in the surrounding document material

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLaser heating: Laser

Implementation Method 3

The shell is made of a material which absorbs the radiation of a marking laser, for example an infrared absorber

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAbsorption (EM radiation): Absorption (EM radiation)

Data Source

PatentEP3046774B1Activatable value or security product, method of activation and method for producing a value or security product
Publication Date: 2024.02.14 BUNDESDRUCKEREI GMBH
  • EP3046774B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3046774B1 patent drawingFigure 3~5
  • EP3046774B1 patent drawingFigure 6~7

AI summary

The aim of the invention is to produce patterns (300) that are inherent in a value or security product. For this purpose, an activatable value or security product (100) is provided which contains a product material having color particles (400). The value or security product (100) can be permanently activated by electromagnetic radiation L so that a security feature (200) formed by the color particles (400) becomes visually perceptible.