Diffractive Labeling Element for Secure Item Authentication
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing security features for authenticating items, such as holograms and RFID technologies, are costly and complex to produce, and require sophisticated methods like electron beam lithography, making them inefficient for widespread use in preventing counterfeiting.
Innovation Solution
A labeling element with periodic lattice structures on its surface, where the structural period and alignment of lattice elements can diffract electromagnetic radiation to create a hidden image only visible after irradiation, allowing for secure identification without direct visual recognition, using monochromatic radiation and simple optical aids.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If complex hologram labels with identigrams, kinegrams, computer-generated holograms or nanograms are used, then security and authenticity verification capability is improved, but manufacturing cost and complexity increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a simplified diffractive pixel structure that copies the essential function of complex holograms - creating diffraction patterns for authentication - but implements it through much simpler means. Instead of complex computer-generated holograms requiring electron beam lithography, the invention uses basic periodic lattice structures in pixels that can be manufactured with standard techniques, achieving comparable security functionality at lower complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces expensive, complex holographic security elements with inexpensive diffractive pixels that can be mass-produced using simple manufacturing processes. The periodic lattice structures in the pixels create sufficient diffraction patterns for authentication without requiring the costly materials and complex construction of traditional hologram labels, making security features accessible and scalable.
2Manufacturing precision
If electron beam lithography is used to produce microstructures and nanostructures for computer-generated holograms, then diffraction image quality and security feature complexity are improved, but production cost and time increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the manufacturing parameters from extreme precision requirements (electron beam lithography) to standard manufacturing capabilities. By using periodic lattice structures with straightforward geometric parameters, the invention achieves functional diffraction patterns without requiring sub-micron precision manufacturing, dramatically reducing production cost and time while maintaining sufficient image quality for authentication purposes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a functional copy of complex diffractive security elements using simpler structural principles. Instead of replicating the complex microstructures and nanostructures of computer-generated holograms, the invention uses basic periodic lattices in pixels that produce comparable diffraction images through simpler geometric arrangements, achieving the same security function with standard manufacturing precision.
3Ease of manufacture
If pixels with periodic lattice structures are used instead of complex computer-generated holograms, then manufacturing cost and simplicity are improved, but visual complexity and security feature sophistication may be reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent compensates for the simplicity of individual pixel structures by utilizing the two-dimensional array arrangement of multiple pixels. The security information is encoded across the spatial distribution and relative positions of many simple pixels rather than within the complexity of single pixels, achieving sophisticated security features through dimensional arrangement rather than structural complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent divides the security feature into multiple simple pixel elements arranged in an array. Each pixel contains a basic periodic lattice structure that is simple to manufacture, but the collective arrangement of many such pixels creates a complex diffraction pattern that encodes security information. This segmentation allows simple manufacturing at the component level while achieving sophistication at the system level.
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
This solution enables secure and cost-effective authentication of items using diffractive security elements that are not visually discernible without optical aids, facilitating easy verification with minimal effort and resources.
Implementation Method 1
when the pixels constituting the labeling element are irradiated with electromagnetic radiation, an image of the labeling element is created on an detector array or a surface, by means of imaging at least one order of the electromagnetic radiation diffracted by pixels
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a labeling element for items, which on a surface thereof is formed with a plurality of pixels with periodic lattice structures, in particular linear lattice structures. Lattice structures with in each case one structural period Λ and an alignment of the structural elements, which are aligned to one another in particular in a linear parallel manner, at an angle φ with respect to an axis of reference are formed in individual pixels such that when the pixels constituting the labeling element are irradiated with electromagnetic radiation, preferably monochromatic electromagnetic radiation, an image of the labeling element is created on an detector array or a surface, by means of images of at least one order of diffraction of the electromagnetic radiation diffracted by pixels which can be used for identification of the respective labeling element.