Security Element With Irregular Light-Guiding Elements
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing security elements, such as those used in credit and ID cards, lack sufficient counterfeit-proofing due to damage during manufacturing processes and inadequate uniqueness, allowing for potential forgery.
Innovation Solution
A security element featuring irregularly arranged light-guiding elements within a non-light-guiding material, creating a unique light point pattern upon illumination, which is recorded and compared for authentication, utilizing glass fibers or threads with varied geometries and wavelengths, and a reading device with controlled light sources for enhanced verification.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If light-guiding elements are pressed between non-light-guiding elements during manufacturing, then the security element can be assembled, but the light-guiding elements can be damaged which reduces the counterfeit security
Solution Approach 1:
The light-guiding elements are pre-arranged in a random pattern within the first substrate before lamination. This preliminary arrangement ensures that the unique light pattern is established before the lamination process, preventing damage during assembly while maintaining security.
Solution Approach 2:
The security element uses a composite structure with a first substrate containing light-guiding elements and a second substrate without light-guiding elements. This composite design allows the light-guiding elements to be protected within the first substrate during lamination, avoiding damage while maintaining the security function.
2Ease of manufacture
If regular patterns are used in security elements, then manufacturing is easier, but the security element can be reproduced and is not sufficiently counterfeit-proof
Solution Approach 1:
The security element employs an asymmetric, random arrangement of light-guiding elements within the first substrate. This random pattern ensures that each security element is unique and cannot be reproduced, providing high counterfeit-proof capability while still allowing for standardized manufacturing processes.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the parameter of pattern regularity to randomness. By using a random distribution of light-guiding elements with varying positions, orientations, and densities, the security element achieves uniqueness that prevents reproduction, while the overall manufacturing process remains consistent through controlled randomization.
3Use of energy by moving object
If the entire security element material is transparent, then light can reach the light-guiding elements, but the light exit areas cannot be distinguished from the background
Solution Approach 1:
The security element applies local quality by having different transparency properties in different regions. The first substrate containing light-guiding elements is transparent to allow light transmission, while the second substrate is translucent or transparent with a pattern that creates distinguishable light exit areas. This local differentiation enables both light transmission and pattern detection.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses optical property changes (analogous to color changes) by employing substrates with different transparency/translucency characteristics. The first substrate is transparent while the second substrate has reduced transparency, creating visual contrast that makes light exit areas distinguishable against the background when light passes through the security element.
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 unique light patterns provide a high level of security against forgery, ensuring each security element is distinct and unreplicable, thereby preventing counterfeiting and ensuring genuine identification.
Implementation Method 1
A multiplicity of light-conducting elements 3 arranged in a non-reproducible random pattern within the non-light-conducting material 2
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
Figure 4~5
AI summary
In order to guarantee a high level of counterfeit protection on a security element comprising a material, a plurality of light-conducting elements (3) being arranged within the material (2) such that, upon illumination, a light pattern or a light spot pattern (8) emerges, the material (2) is a non-light-conducting material (2) and the light-conducting elements (3) are arranged in an irregular manner such that, upon illumination, a unique light pattern or light spot pattern (8) emerges, wherein either the inlet openings (4) of the light-conducting elements (3) are located on a first side (6) of the security element (1) and the outlet openings (5) of the light-conducting elements (3) are located on a second side (7) of the security element (1), or the inlet openings (4) and the outlet openings (5) are arranged on the same first side (6). The invention also relates to a method for producing the security element, and a device and a method for reading the security element.