Security Print With IR Absorbers For Dual-Layer Verification
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a need for new, cost-effective, and easily implementable security features for valuable or security documents that are difficult to counterfeit and can be easily recognized, without requiring time-consuming material development or recalibration of existing color management systems.
Innovation Solution
A security feature is created using a security print with at least two colored inks and one black ink, where at least one of the inks contains an infrared (IR) absorber, allowing for a dual-layer verification process in the visible and IR spectral ranges, with the IR absorber being hidden within the visible print to prevent easy detection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional security features are used, then authenticity verification is possible, but they are easy to counterfeit and lack complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extends security verification from the visible spectrum to the infrared spectrum, adding a new dimension of detection. The security print contains IR absorbers that are invisible to the naked eye but detectable by IR sensors, creating a hidden layer of authentication that is extremely difficult to counterfeit while maintaining simple visible appearance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different properties to different regions of the security print. Specifically, certain areas contain IR-absorbing materials while other areas remain IR-transparent, creating spatially varying optical properties that encode authentication information. This local differentiation enables complex verification without requiring the entire document to be complex.
2Reliability
If new security features with additional verification layers are created, then counterfeiting becomes more difficult, but implementation becomes more time-consuming and complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the security print with the standard visible-color print in a single integrated layer. The IR-absorbing materials are incorporated into the printing inks themselves, so that the same printing process that creates the visible image also creates the hidden IR authentication features. This merging eliminates the need for separate manufacturing steps for visible and invisible security features.
Solution Approach 2:
The security print serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides the visible security features that humans can see, encodes hidden authentication information in the infrared spectrum, and maintains compatibility with existing printing infrastructure. The IR-absorbing inks function both as visible colorants and as invisible authentication markers, enabling dual-purpose verification.
3Ease of operation
If IR absorbers are made visible for detection, then verification is easier, but the security feature becomes easily detectable and counterfeitable
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the authentication information from the visible spectrum and places it exclusively in the infrared spectrum. The IR absorbers are designed to be completely invisible to human eyes, separating the authentication function from human perception. Verification is performed by extracting and analyzing the IR reflection characteristics, which are inaccessible to counterfeiters using conventional methods.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an infrared detection system as an intermediary between the security print and the verification process. Rather than making the IR absorbers directly visible, the system uses IR sensors to detect and translate the hidden authentication information into verifiable data, maintaining security while enabling automated verification.
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 approach creates a complex security feature that is difficult to reproduce, providing a two-stage verification process and embedding additional information that cannot be seen with the naked eye, enhancing the authenticity and security of the documents.
Implementation Method 1
at least one of the at least two colored printing inks and the at least one black printing ink contains an IR (infrared) absorber
Data Source
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Figure 3a~3c
Figure 4a~4c
AI summary
In order to create a complex security feature, a value or security product 100 formed with a product carrier 110 is provided, wherein a security print 200 is provided on and/or in the product carrier. The security print is formed with at least two printing colors C, M, Y inducing different color impressions and with at least one printing color K, K+ which appears black. At least one of the at least two printing colors inducing different color impressions and the at least one printing color K+, which appears black, contains in each case an IR absorber.