Identification Document Antenna Security Portion for Portrait Tamper Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Forgers manipulate identification documents by altering the main portrait from the backside of the substrate, which is not easily detectable, compromising the document's authenticity.

Innovation Solution

Embed an antenna in the substrate with a security portion positioned between the portrait portion and the backside, such that any attempt to alter the main portrait damages the antenna, disabling wireless communication and alerting authorities to manipulation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If the backside of the substrate is left accessible for manufacturing or design purposes, then manufacturing ease and design flexibility are improved, but security against forgery deteriorates because forgers can access and alter the main portrait from the backside

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaccess to backside for manufacturingVSAvoidforgery risk from backside access
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The antenna is positioned and embedded in the substrate during manufacturing before the document is completed. This preliminary placement creates a security barrier that will protect the portrait portion throughout the document's lifecycle, preventing future forgery attempts from the backside while maintaining manufacturing feasibility

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The antenna serves as an intermediary security element between the portrait portion and the backside of the substrate. It acts as a protective barrier that forgers must compromise to alter the portrait, thereby mediating between the need for backside accessibility and the need for security

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If an antenna is embedded in the substrate to enable wireless communication, then communication functionality is improved, but device complexity increases due to additional embedding and positioning requirements

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewireless communication capabilityVSAvoidantenna embedding and positioning complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The antenna is designed to serve dual functions: enabling wireless communication between the integrated circuit and reader devices, and simultaneously acting as a security feature that protects the portrait portion from forgery. This multi-functionality reduces overall system complexity by combining security and communication functions in a single component

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The security function and communication function are merged into a single antenna component. The antenna is both the communication element and the security barrier, eliminating the need for separate security features and reducing manufacturing and design complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Object-affected harmful factors

If the antenna security portion overlaps with the portrait portion, then security against forgery is improved by damaging the antenna during alteration attempts, but manufacturing precision requirements increase due to precise positioning needs

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprotection against portrait alterationVSAvoidantenna positioning accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The antenna is designed with different functional portions: a communication portion for wireless communication and a security portion that overlaps with the portrait portion. This local differentiation allows the security portion to be precisely positioned over the portrait while the rest of the antenna maintains optimal communication characteristics, reducing overall manufacturing precision requirements

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

The embedded antenna acts as a security mechanism, ensuring the integrity of the main portrait is maintained by disabling communication upon attempted manipulation, allowing for quick detection of tampering.

Implementation Method 1

the antenna is configured to allow wireless communication between the integrated circuit and associated (external) reader devices

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic radiation: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentEP4586137A1Identification document with antenna having a security portion
Publication Date: 2025.07.16 TOPPAN SECURITY IRELAND TEORANTA
  • EP4586137A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4586137A1 patent drawingFigure 2~4
  • EP4586137A1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

An identification document such as a passport or an identity card, the identification document having a substrate (1), a portrait portion (15), and an antenna (20). The substrate (1) has a front side (FS) and a backside (BS) opposite to the front side (FS) in a thickness direction (d) of the substrate (1). The portrait portion (15) has a main portrait of the identification document's holder. The antenna (20) is embedded in the substrate (1). A security portion (19) of the antenna (20) is positioned between the portrait portion (15) and the backside (BS) of the substrate (1) and overlaps with the portrait portion (15).