Color Secure ID Card Laser Etching and Optically Variable Ink Overlay

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing secure identification documents, such as passports and ID cards, lack aesthetic appeal and effective anti-counterfeiting features, particularly when produced with black-and-white laser-etched portraits, which are not artistic and can be easily falsified.

Innovation Solution

A method for producing a color secure identification document involves laser etching black-and-white identity information on a substrate, overlaying a color image with optically variable ink, and applying a transparent protective layer with second anti-counterfeiting marks, enhancing both aesthetic appeal and anti-counterfeiting capabilities.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If black-and-white laser etching is used for identity information, then anti-counterfeiting capability is improved, but aesthetic appeal deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveanti-counterfeiting capabilityVSAvoidaesthetic appeal
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the identification document into multiple functional layers: a substrate layer with laser-etched black-and-white identity information for anti-counterfeiting, and a separate color image layer printed on the surface for aesthetic appeal. This segmentation allows each layer to fulfill its specific function independently while working together as a unified document.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs composite material structure by combining the substrate material (with laser-etched information) and the color image layer (with printed color portrait and text). This composite approach enables the document to simultaneously achieve the security properties of laser etching and the aesthetic properties of color printing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Shape

If color image is printed on black-and-white etched information, then aesthetic appeal is improved, but anti-counterfeiting capability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaesthetic appealVSAvoidanti-counterfeiting capability
Core Design Contradiction:
ShapeVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by first etching the black-and-white identity information on the substrate through laser before printing the color image layer. This sequence ensures that the anti-counterfeiting features are established on the substrate first, and the color layer serves only as an aesthetic overlay that cannot compromise the underlying security features.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Strength

If transparent protective layer is applied, then protection of color image is improved, but visibility of underlying information deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprotection of color imageVSAvoidvisibility of underlying information
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSIllumination intensity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses a transparent protective layer (thin film) applied over the color image and underlying etched information. This thin film provides mechanical protection and security features while maintaining optical transparency, allowing the underlying black-and-white laser etched information to remain visible through the protective layer.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

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 method produces a secure identification document with a color portrait that is more aesthetically pleasing and resistant to falsification, utilizing optically variable marks that are difficult to replicate, thereby improving the document's anti-counterfeiting features.

Implementation Method 1

etching identity information on the substrate of data surface of the document by laser, and the said identity information comprises a black-and-white image and text; as the substrate undergoes irreversible chemical changes after laser etching

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLaser: Laser

Implementation Method 2

printing the first anti-counterfeiting mark on the personalized data surface with optically variable ink; and changing the color of the first anti-counterfeiting mark and curing the mark sequentially, so that an optically variable mark is generated on the personalized data surface

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectOptically variable: Photochromism

Data Source

PatentEP3708383B1Colored Anti-counterfeiting identification card manufacturing method and colored Anti-counterfeiting identification card
Publication Date: 2024.06.26 SHENZHEN EMPEROR TECH
  • EP3708383B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3708383B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

The invention relates to the technical field of secure identification document, specifically to a method for producing a color secure identification document and a color secure identification document thereof. The method comprises: etching identity information on the substrate of the data surface of document by laser, and the identity information comprises a black-and-white image and text information; printing a color image on the black-and-white image with color ink so that the color image and the black-and-white image are aligned and coincide with each other to form a personalized data surface; and printing a transparent protective layer on the upper surface of the personalized data surface with a transparent varnish, wherein the protective layer covers the color image. The invention effectively prevents falsification of the color portrait; and the secure identification document produced by the invention is provided with the color portrait of the holder, which makes the document more aesthetic and meet modern people's aesthetic requirements for the secure identification document.