Security Element With Dual-Coercivity Magnetic Areas
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current security threads for banknotes and cards can be counterfeited using transfer techniques, as magnetic elements can be detected by normal instruments, and existing codes can be easily replicated, compromising their security and authenticity.
Innovation Solution
A security element with magnetic areas formed by two types of magnetic materials having different coercivity values and identical or different residual magnetism, generating multiple codes detectable only by dedicated sensors, enhancing security and authenticity verification.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If magnetic elements are deposited on a metallized substrate using a single type of magnetic ink, then the manufacturing process is simple and costs are low, but the security element can be easily counterfeited using transfer techniques
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating magnetic areas with different coercivity values (first magnetic material with higher coercivity, second magnetic material with lower coercivity) in specific locations on the substrate. This local variation in magnetic properties makes the security element resistant to transfer counterfeiting techniques, as the counterfeit magnetic elements cannot replicate the specific coercivity distribution.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses composite materials by combining two different magnetic materials with distinct coercivity characteristics on the same substrate. This composite magnetic structure creates a complex magnetic signature that is difficult to replicate, thereby enhancing security while maintaining industrial manufacturability through established printing and deposition techniques.
2Ease of operation
If magnetic areas are made visible to normal detection instruments, then the security element can be easily verified, but it becomes vulnerable to counterfeiting
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the detection parameter from simple magnetic presence to magnetic coercivity characteristics. By using magnetic sensors that measure coercivity values, the system can distinguish between genuine security elements (with specific coercivity patterns) and counterfeit elements (with uniform or incorrect coercivity), enabling secure verification without making the magnetic areas visible to normal instruments.
3Reliability
If the security element uses complex magnetic structures with multiple materials, then counterfeiting difficulty increases, but the manufacturing complexity and cost also increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by using a magnetization step that differentially affects magnetic areas based on their coercivity values. The magnetization process dynamically activates or deactivates specific magnetic areas depending on their material properties, creating variable magnetic codes without requiring physically complex structures. This dynamic approach simplifies manufacturing while maintaining high security.
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 security element significantly increases the difficulty of counterfeiting by generating unique codes that can be detected at high speeds, ensuring high reliability and competitive costs, while only authorized personnel can detect the magnetic differences, thus enhancing the security and authenticity verification process.
Implementation Method 1
magnetic areas (3, 4) comprising at least two types of magnetic areas, respectively formed by a first and a second magnetic materials, which have different coercivity values
Implementation Method 2
whose residual magnetism is identical or different
Data Source
Figure 1~3c
Figure 4~6c
AI summary
A security element (1), particularly for banknotes, security cards and the like, comprising a first substrate (2) which is at least partially opaque when viewed in transmitted light, and a plurality of magnetic areas (3, 4) being arranged on said substrate, wherein each of the magnetic areas is formed by a first magnetic material, a second magnetic material or an arrangement of the first and the second magnetic materials being at least partially superimposed, the first magnetic material and the second magnetic material exhibiting different coercivity values which are detectable by a sensor, wherein the first and second magnetic materials are magnetically saturated such that one of the first and second magnetic materials is not affected by the other.