Embossed Character Color Contrast for Angle-Limited Card Security
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Solution Overview
Problem
Physical cards, such as transaction and identification cards, expose sensitive information that can be viewed by unauthorized individuals, particularly from non-optimal angles, compromising security.
Innovation Solution
The design of physical cards with embossed characters having front surfaces aligned parallel to the background and side surfaces extending from the lower to the upper edge, utilizing different colors and materials to limit visibility from non-optimal angles, combined with features like lenticular printing and protruding lips, ensures that sensitive information is only readable from a straight-on vantage point.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If sensitive information is displayed on the front surface of the card for easy viewing, then authorized persons can easily read the information, but unauthorized persons can also view the information from non-optimal angles
Solution Approach 1:
The embossed characters are formed with different visual properties on different surfaces: the front surface has high contrast for readability, while the side surfaces blend with the background color to prevent viewing from angles other than 90 degrees. This local differentiation of visual properties resolves the contradiction between ease of viewing and protection from unauthorized viewing.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention adds a dimensional aspect to character formation by creating embossed characters with distinct front surfaces and side surfaces. The side surfaces extend from the background at a lower edge to the front surface at an upper edge, creating a three-dimensional structure that limits viewing angles and prevents unauthorized persons from reading information from non-optimal positions.
2Loss of information
If embossed characters are formed with high contrast colors for readability, then authorized persons can easily read the information, but the side surfaces may stand out and reveal the embossed nature from angles
Solution Approach 1:
Different surfaces of the embossed characters have different color properties: front surfaces use high contrast colors (e.g., black on white) for readability, while side surfaces use colors that blend with the card background. This local quality differentiation ensures information is readable when viewed from the correct angle while preventing the embossed structure from being visible from other angles.
3Ease of manufacture
If the card uses a simple flat design for manufacturing ease, then production is simpler and cost-effective, but security against unauthorized viewing is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The card surface is segmented into distinct regions: the background and the embossed characters with their front and side surfaces. This segmentation allows the embossed characters to be formed separately from the background, enabling the security feature while maintaining a relatively simple manufacturing process that can be integrated into existing card production methods.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the physical parameters of the card surface by creating embossed characters with specific geometric properties (front surfaces aligned parallel to background, side surfaces extending at angles). These parameter changes enable the security function while using conventional embossing technologies that can be implemented with minimal modification to existing manufacturing processes.
Data Source
AI summary
A physical card may include a substantially planar body that may include a front surface, a back surface, and one or more side surfaces. The front surface may include a background formed primarily in a first color, and a plurality of embossed characters each having one or more front surfaces aligned substantially in parallel relative to the background. The plurality of embossed characters may include one or more side surfaces extending from the background at a lower edge to the front surface at an upper edge, wherein the one or more front surfaces of at least a first embossed character of the plurality of embossed characters are formed primarily in a second color different from the first color and the one or more side surfaces of at least the first embossed character are formed primarily in the first color to limit a viewing angle of the plurality of embossed characters.