Electronic Banknote Circuit for Cryptographic Authentication

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional banknotes rely solely on physical security features, making personalization and electronic verification difficult.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating an electronic circuit with a data set and cryptographic capabilities into banknotes, enabling electronic security features and verification.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If physical security features are used in conventional banknotes, then authenticity verification is possible, but personalization and electronic verification are difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepersonalization capabilityVSAvoidsecurity feature complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces physical/mechanical security features with an electronic circuit that implements cryptographic verification. The electronic circuit uses digital data sets and cryptographic algorithms to verify authenticity, substituting the mechanical/optical verification methods of conventional banknotes. This enables personalization through electronic means while maintaining security functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Adaptability or versatility

If physical security features are used in conventional banknotes, then authenticity verification is possible, but electronic verification methods cannot be implemented

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveelectronic verification capabilityVSAvoidcircuit integration complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the physical banknote substrate with an integrated electronic circuit that contains a processor and memory for storing cryptographic data sets. This combination allows the banknote to simultaneously maintain its physical form factor while incorporating electronic verification capabilities through the integrated circuit that can perform cryptographic operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Reliability

If an electronic circuit is added to the banknote, then electronic security features and personalization are enabled, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveauthenticity verification reliabilityVSAvoidbanknote structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses a flexible printed circuit board (FPC) as the substrate for the electronic circuit, allowing the rigid electronic components to be integrated into the flexible banknote structure. The FPC enables the electronic circuit to conform to the banknote's flexible substrate while maintaining electrical connectivity and functionality, thus reducing structural complexity compared to rigid circuit implementations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Data Source

PatentEP4651110A1Banknote

Publication Date: 2025.11.19 BUNDESDRUCKEREI GMBH

Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3

AI summary

A banknote 100 comprises a physical substrate 101, an electronic circuit 103 which is connected to the substrate 101, wherein the electronic circuit 103 stores a data record 105 and is configured to implement an electronic security feature.