Bistable Display Security Document with Contactless Data Update

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current security and value documents with RFID functionality lack effective mechanisms for authorized modification of personal data and protection against unauthorized alteration or falsification, requiring complex and costly reissuance processes.

Innovation Solution

A value or security document with two display devices, one of which is bistable, allowing for external write access to personalization data via a cryptographic protocol, ensuring the same protection level as original data and eliminating the need for physical reissuance, with a contactless interface for energy supply and corrosion resistance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If RFID interface is used for data access, then communication efficiency is improved, but unauthorized reading can occur without bearer consent

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecommunication efficiencyVSAvoidunauthorized access protection
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary anti-action by implementing Basic Access Control (BAC) cryptographic authentication before allowing any RFID data reading. The authentication exchange between reader and transponder prevents unauthorized access by verifying credentials beforehand, thus counteracting the potential harm of unauthorized reading while maintaining efficient communication for authorized users.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

2Productivity

If personal data is stored modifiably, then data updating efficiency is improved, but protection against unauthorized modification is weakened

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata updating efficiencyVSAvoiddata integrity protection
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamics by creating a dual-mode data storage system: machine-readable data in modifiable memory allows efficient updates, while human-readable data in optically variable security features provides tamper-evident protection. The system dynamically switches between these modes based on the intended use, allowing authorized electronic modification while maintaining visual security against unauthorized alterations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies local quality by differentiating the security characteristics of different data representations. Machine-readable data stored in electronic memory has modifiable properties for efficiency, while the corresponding human-readable security features have immutable, tamper-evident properties for protection. This localized differentiation of data qualities resolves the contradiction between modifiability and protection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Reliability

If document reissuance is performed for data updates, then security is maintained, but complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovesecurityVSAvoidreissuance process complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies segmentation by separating data into two independent representations: machine-readable data that can be efficiently updated in electronic memory, and human-readable security features that remain immutable. This segmentation allows selective updating of only the machine-readable portion without affecting the security features, eliminating the need for complete document reissuance while maintaining security through the immutable visual elements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

4Reliability

If contactless interface is used for energy supply, then corrosion resistance is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecorrosion resistanceVSAvoidmanufacturing simplicity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies mechanics substitution by replacing the mechanical contact interface with a contactless electromagnetic induction interface for energy supply. The reader and transponder communicate and transfer power through electromagnetic fields without physical contact, eliminating corrosion issues associated with contact interfaces while using well-established RFID technology to manage manufacturing complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentEP2038811B1Security or valuable document with at least two display mechanisms
Publication Date: 2013.01.02 BUNDESDRUCKEREI GMBH
  • EP2038811B1 patent drawingFigure 1~4
  • EP2038811B1 patent drawingFigure 5
  • EP2038811B1 patent drawingFigure 6

AI summary

The invention relates to a security or valuable document with - at least first and second display mechanisms (118; 128), - a processor (102, 108) for controlling the at least first and second display mechanisms, - an interface (112) for supplying energy for the processor from an external energy source (114, 136).