Identification Document Print Pattern Optical Encoding

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Solution Overview

Problem

Modern identification documents face challenges in efficiently verifying authenticity due to increased complexity and effort required for security feature verification, necessitating a simpler method to check their legitimacy.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating print pattern areas with different optical properties, such as infrared-active or non-infrared-active ink, to create an optically detectable bit pattern that encodes information like cryptographic checksums or hash values, allowing for the encoding of additional information within existing print patterns.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If multiple security features are implemented to increase protection against forgery, then security reliability is improved, but production complexity and verification effort increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesecurity protectionVSAvoidproduction complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple security functions into a single integrated print pattern system. Different print pattern areas with varying optical properties (visible, UV, IR active/inactive) are merged into one cohesive structure that can be verified through a single optical reading process, eliminating the need for separate security features and their corresponding verification systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The print pattern areas serve multiple functions simultaneously: they contain machine-readable data, provide human-readable information, and encode cryptographic verification data all within the same optical structure. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate security elements, reducing both production and verification complexity while maintaining high security reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If multiple security features are implemented to increase protection against forgery, then security reliability is improved, but verification effort increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesecurity protectionVSAvoidverification effort

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple verification functions are merged into a single optical reading operation. The reading device simultaneously captures visible and invisible (UV, IR) information from the integrated print pattern, performing multiple security checks in one action, thereby reducing verification time and effort while maintaining high security standards.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

Cryptographic verification data is pre-encoded into the print pattern areas during document production. This preliminary encoding allows verification devices to perform rapid authentication by simply reading the pre-prepared optical patterns, eliminating the need for complex real-time analysis and significantly reducing verification effort.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Loss of information

If additional information is encoded in print patterns, then information capacity increases, but detection and measurement difficulty increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinformation capacityVSAvoiddetection difficulty

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSDifficulty of detecting and measuring

Solution Approach 1:

Different print pattern areas are assigned specific optical properties (visible, UV-active, IR-active, IR-inactive) to encode different types of information. This local differentiation allows various information layers to be simultaneously encoded and independently detected using appropriate wavelength filters, increasing information capacity while maintaining ease of detection through wavelength-specific reading.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

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 approach simplifies the verification process by using existing print patterns to encode information, enhancing protection against forgery and reducing production and verification efforts, while providing a robust method to authenticate identification documents.

Implementation Method 1

infrared-active or non-infrared-active ink

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectInfrared absorption: Absorption (EM radiation)

Implementation Method 2

light absorption, for example infrared light absorption

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLight absorption: Absorption (physical)

Implementation Method 3

optical reflection, a logical one can be encoded by a reflection of 50% to 100% of the incident light

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLight reflection: Reflection

Implementation Method 4

an optical detection device, for example an image camera, for optically detecting the print pattern areas

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhotoelectric detection: Photoelectric Effect

Data Source

PatentEP3083257B1Identification document with print pattern

Publication Date: 2017.10.18 BUNDESDRUCKEREI GMBH

AI summary

The invention relates to an identification document (100) comprising a document body (117) which is provided with a printing pattern (105), said printing pattern (105) having at least two printing pattern regions (107-114) with different optical properties in order to optically encode a piece of information.