Diffractive Security Element with Nested Machine-Readable Code
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current security elements for documents like ID cards and passports lack effective counterfeiting protection and efficient verification methods, as they can be easily replicated or manipulated, and existing solutions are costly and require additional processing steps.
Innovation Solution
A security element with a diffractive surface relief and a reflective layer that includes a hidden, machine-readable code integrated into the surface structure, which is not visible to the naked eye, and can only be copied by replicating the surface structure, and a method for verifying this element using a reading device to ensure authenticity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a security element uses only visible open information, then it is easy to verify with the naked eye, but it is easy to counterfeit and manipulate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines visible open information and hidden machine-readable code into a single integrated diffractive security element. The micro-areas containing the hidden code are embedded within the same diffractive structure that displays the visible information, creating a unified security feature that provides both human-readable and machine-readable verification capabilities while maintaining structural integration rather than separate components
Solution Approach 2:
The hidden machine-readable code is nested within the visible diffractive structure. The micro-areas containing the hidden code are embedded inside the larger diffractive surface relief structure, similar to nested dolls. This allows the hidden security feature to be contained within the visible security element, providing multiple layers of verification within a single compact structure
2Reliability
If a hidden code is added to the security element, then counterfeit protection is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The manufacturing process combines the formation of the visible diffractive structure and the hidden code into a single molding operation. Both the surface relief for visible information and the micro-areas for hidden code are created simultaneously in one step, eliminating the need for separate manufacturing processes and reducing overall manufacturing complexity despite the enhanced security features
Solution Approach 2:
The hidden machine-readable code is created as a mold copy during the diffractive structure formation. The micro-areas are formed by copying the pattern from the mold into the security element material, allowing the hidden code to be replicated automatically during the standard manufacturing process without requiring additional writing or encoding steps
3Ease of operation
If the hidden code is made visible with optical aids, then verification is easier, but the code becomes vulnerable to copying and manipulation
Solution Approach 1:
The security element has different optical properties in different regions. The micro-areas containing the hidden code have specific diffractive characteristics that differ from the surrounding areas, creating local optical quality variations. This allows the hidden code to remain invisible under normal viewing conditions while being detectable by machines that can analyze the specific diffractive patterns of the micro-areas
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 provides enhanced protection against counterfeiting by making it difficult to manipulate the visible and hidden information, ensuring durability and reliability in verification, while being cost-effective and requiring minimal additional manufacturing steps.
Implementation Method 1
a diffractive surface relief provided with a reflective layer at least in some areas is molded, which shows open information that is visible to the naked eye
Implementation Method 2
a diffractive surface relief provided with a reflective layer at least in some areas is molded
Data Source
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Figure 5~6
AI summary
A security element for increasing the counterfeit protection of a security document, in particular an identity card, passport, or identification card, is described. The security element (1) has a first diffractive area (15) that displays an overt code visible to the naked eye. The first diffractive area further includes a hidden code, not visible to the naked eye, which can be reconstructed from the arrangement of diffractive micro-areas in the first area (1) and/or from the structure of the first diffractive area (1). A method for increasing the counterfeit protection of a security document is also described.