Document Anti-Counterfeiting via Perforated Cut Data Fields
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing anti-counterfeiting methods for documents, such as bank cheques and insurance documents, are vulnerable to falsification, particularly difficult to detect once altered, as they can be easily manipulated using graphic technologies, leading to financial losses and security risks.
Innovation Solution
An anti-counterfeiting method that involves printing identification data fields on documents, reading these fields, and generating a cutting signal to create a visible, inerasable cut data field that duplicates the original data, making it impossible to erase and reprint without detection, using techniques like perforation or material removal, and optionally incorporating an activation/command code for laser cutting.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional anti-counterfeiting methods (watermarks, plasticization, covering layers) are used, then document security is provided, but these methods can be easily counterfeited by expert falsifiers using available graphic technologies
Solution Approach 1:
The document is divided into a main body and a detachable portion separated by a perforation line. The authentication code is distributed across both parts, requiring both portions to be present for verification. This segmentation prevents counterfeiting because the authentication code cannot be fully reproduced without both document parts.
Solution Approach 2:
The authentication code is pre-printed on the document before issuance, and the perforation line with detachable portion is prepared in advance. This preliminary action ensures that the authentication features are already in place and cannot be added or modified by falsifiers later, enhancing document security against counterfeiting.
2Adaptability or versatility
If data fields on documents are made alterable for flexibility, then document adaptability is improved, but the documents become vulnerable to falsification and counterfeiting
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the authentication code across the main document body and a detachable portion, the system maintains document flexibility while preventing alteration. Any attempt to modify the data fields would destroy the authentication code's integrity, making falsification detectable.
Solution Approach 2:
The detachable portion acts as an intermediary that carries part of the authentication code. This intermediary element links the document's adaptability with its security, allowing the document to be flexible while the distributed authentication code prevents unauthorized alterations.
3Measurement precision
If authentication codes are printed on documents, then document identification is improved, but the codes can be erased and reprinted by falsifiers using graphic technologies
Solution Approach 1:
The authentication code is segmented and printed across both the main document body and a detachable portion. This segmentation makes erasure and reprinting difficult because both parts must be simultaneously altered, and the perforation line provides a physical barrier that prevents seamless manipulation of the code.
Solution Approach 2:
The authentication code is pre-printed on the document with inherent security features before issuance. This preliminary action ensures that the code cannot be easily erased or reprinted without detection, as the pre-printed features are integrated into the document structure.
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 method significantly enhances document security by ensuring any alteration attempts are evident through visual comparison of the original and cut data fields, making it extremely difficult to falsify documents without visible signs of tampering, thereby reducing counterfeiting risks.
Implementation Method 1
said cutting step comprises a step of creation on said document, near said printed data field, a cut data field in an inerasable and visible way, said cut data field consisting of visible cut characters
Implementation Method 2
said cutting step provides the reproduction of said characters of said cut data field by means of removal of material without perforating the document, in particular colored material is removed from a colored background of said document
Implementation Method 3
US 2007/274559 A1 discloses a modification by a laser beam of an authentication of a security element having a print image by a laser marking partially overlapping the print image
Data Source
AI summary
An anti-counterfeiting apparatus for a document (10, 70, 90), in particular a credit title, an insurance document, a permit or a transport document (10, 70, 90), comprises a means for printing (25) on said document (10, 70, 90) at least one printed data field in visible characters (12, 14, 17, 19, 72, 92), means for reading (30, 30') the data of said printed data field (12, 14, 17, 19, 72, 92) and means for generating a cutting signal (45) responsive to said reading step (30, 30') of the data of the printed data field (12, 14, 17, 19, 72, 92). Furthermore, it comprises a cutting means of the document (10, 70, 90) in a predetermined zone thereof on the basis of said cutting signal (45). In particular, the cutting means is configured to make on the document, near the printed data field (12, 14, 17, 19, 72, 92), a cut data field (12a, 14a, 17a, 19a, 72a, 92a) in an inerasable and visible way. The cut data field (12a, 14a, 17a, 19a, 72a, 92a) consists of visible cut characters that are a duplication of the data shown of said printed data field (12, 14, 17, 19, 72, 92), that are arranged to allow a visual comparison by a user between said cut data field and said printed data field.