Data Carrier Beam-Modifying Layer Security
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing data carriers, such as identity cards and security documents, are vulnerable to forgery and manipulation due to the ease with which additional markings can be added to laser-inscribed information, compromising their authenticity.
Innovation Solution
A data carrier is produced with a laser-markable portion and a beam-modifying portion that modifies the laser beam properties, creating a distinctive visual impression, making it difficult to reproduce the exact same marking and thus detect any alterations or additions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If laser markings are inscribed on data carriers to prevent copying and forgery, then security against unauthorized copying is improved, but the data carrier becomes vulnerable to additional markings that can falsify or manipulate the original information
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary anti-action by pre-inscribing a unique laser marking pattern during the legitimate data carrier production process. This initial marking serves as a security feature that makes subsequent unauthorized markings detectable, as any additional markings would be visible against the pre-established pattern, thereby preventing forgery while maintaining the ability to add legitimate information.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes color changes by employing a laser-markable layer that undergoes permanent discoloration when exposed to laser irradiation. The laser beam causes the marking material to change color permanently, creating a distinctive visual pattern that is difficult to replicate or modify without detection, thus enhancing security against unauthorized copying and manipulation.
2Reliability
If a uniform transparent optically-variable layer is used to protect the laser-markable layer, then protection against copying is improved, but the layer can be detached or damaged making the underlying layer vulnerable
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the protective function with the marking function by integrating the optically-variable layer directly with the laser-markable layer. The uniform transparent optically-variable layer is positioned to overlap the laser-markable layer, creating a combined structure where the protective layer and marking layer work together as a single integrated security system, making detachment or damage detection difficult.
3Illumination intensity
If laser beam intensity is increased to produce energy absorption in the laser-markable layer for visible markings, then marking visibility is improved, but the beam may alter or damage the optically-variable layer above it
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by selecting a specific laser wavelength that has different absorption characteristics for different layers. The laser wavelength is chosen to be transparent to the optically-variable layer (allowing it to pass through without alteration) while being strongly absorbed by the laser-markable layer (producing visible markings). This localized selective absorption ensures marking visibility without damaging the protective layer.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the laser beam parameters by selecting a specific wavelength and intensity range. The laser wavelength is optimized to pass through the optically-variable layer while being absorbed by the laser-markable layer. The intensity is controlled to produce sufficient energy absorption for visible markings without exceeding the threshold that would alter or damage the optically-variable layer, thus achieving the desired effect safely.
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 solution effectively enhances the security of data carriers by ensuring that any modifications to the markings are visible, thereby preventing forgery and manipulation, while maintaining a simple and cost-effective manufacturing process.
Implementation Method 1
The beam-modifying portion has a beam-modifying property. A laser beam is irradiated through the beam-modifying portion to allow the beam modifying property thereof to affirmatively modify at least one beam property. This modifying of the beam property produces a resultant laser beam that creates a marking with a distinctive visual impression
Implementation Method 2
The laser beam intensity is, however, sufficiently strong to produce energy that is absorbed in the laser-markable layer so that the irradiated areas of the laser-markable layer undergo a color change and form visually well perceptible markings
Data Source
AI summary
A method of producing a data carrier with a marking is disclosed. The data carrier includes a laser-markable portion and a beam-modifying portion adjacent the laser-markable portion. The beam-modifying portion has a beam modifying property. The method includes irradiating a laser beam through the beam-modifying portion to allow the beam modifying property thereof to modify at least one beam property to produce a resultant laser beam. This resultant laser beam creates a marking with a visual impression corresponding to the resultant laser beam at the laser-markable portion. The method further includes modifying the beam modifying property of at least a part of the beam-modifying portion through which the laser beam is irradiated for creating the marking so that the exact same resultant beam is difficult to be obtained thereat. A data carrier thereby produced is also disclosed.