Bistable Display Permanent Hideable Mark
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current security markings are either easily duplicable or require specialized equipment to reveal hidden information, failing to provide a secure, easily visible, and difficult-to-duplicate solution.
Innovation Solution
A bistable display with a permanent hideable mark using a substrate and bistable material that can be hidden or revealed multiple times without erasure, employing chiral nematic liquid crystals and specific energy levels to create a mark that is viewable in one state and hidden in another, without the need for specialized detection devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If conventional security markings are used, then they can be easily applied, but they can be easily duplicated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by utilizing the bistable property of liquid crystal materials, which can switch between two stable states (visible and invisible) in response to external stimuli such as electric fields or temperature changes. This allows the security marking to dynamically change its visibility state, making it difficult to duplicate while maintaining ease of application through standard liquid crystal display manufacturing processes
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs composite materials by combining liquid crystal materials with specific host materials and encapsulants to create a bistable display structure. This composite structure integrates the optical properties of liquid crystals with the structural stability of the host material, enabling both easy manufacturing and high security against duplication
2Ease of operation
If hidden information is made visible without specialized equipment, then it is easily accessible, but it becomes easier to detect and measure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by creating a bistable system where the security marking can dynamically switch between visible and invisible states. The marking remains invisible in the default state but can be made visible on demand through application of an electric field or temperature change, providing easy access when needed while maintaining stealth during normal use
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes parameter changes in the liquid crystal material's optical properties based on external stimuli. The material transitions between different optical states (visible/invisible) in response to changes in electric field or temperature parameters, enabling easy information access without requiring specialized detection equipment
3Reliability
If the mark is made permanent and non-erasable, then security is improved, but the ability to hide and reveal multiple times is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent resolves this contradiction by creating a bistable system where the marking is permanently recorded in the liquid crystal material but can be dynamically switched between visible and invisible states multiple times. The permanent aspect refers to the fact that the marking cannot be erased or degraded through repeated cycling, while the adaptable aspect refers to the ability to hide and reveal the marking on demand through external stimuli
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
The bistable display allows for permanent, easily visible and hidden security markings that can be repeatedly accessed without affecting non-hidden information, providing high-security authentication without the need for specialized equipment.
Implementation Method 1
the cholesteric liquid crystal layer reflects the incident light 60 at a wavelength corresponding to the pitch of the cholesteric liquid crystal layer
Implementation Method 2
A bistable display comprising a permanent hideable mark is described, wherein the bistable display comprises a substrate and a layer of bistable material
Implementation Method 3
switching the cholesteric liquid crystal layer into a focal-conic state, wherein the cholesteric liquid crystal layer does not reflect incident light
Data Source
AI summary
A bistable display having one or more permanent hideable mark, and a method of forming the permanent hideable mark, are described. The permanent hideable mark can be hidden and revealed numerous times without loss of information.