Laser-Active Ink for Secure Data Carrier Personalization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for producing data carriers with security elements, such as guilloche patterns, can be disruptive and culturally offensive, and make it difficult to identify and verify personal information, while also being aesthetically unappealing.
Innovation Solution
The use of laser-active printing ink with a low percentage of carbon black, which converts into a silver-grey pigment upon laser exposure, allowing the security element to be invisible at normal angles but visible and recognizable at certain angles, providing a secure and aesthetically unobjectionable solution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If guilloche patterns are printed densely to increase security against forgery, then security is improved, but the photograph becomes difficult to identify and verify
Solution Approach 1:
The security element's visibility is made dynamic through laser conversion. The ink remains invisible or barely visible during normal viewing, then becomes visible when exposed to laser light during personalization verification, allowing security checks without permanently obscuring the photograph
Solution Approach 2:
The printing ink changes its optical properties through laser exposure, converting from an invisible or barely visible state to a visible silver-grey state. This color/visibility change allows the security element to serve its protective function only when needed, without continuously interfering with photograph identification
2Reliability
If guilloche lines are printed to protect personal information, then security against counterfeiting is improved, but the lines become disruptive and culturally offensive
Solution Approach 1:
The security element transitions from an invisible state during normal viewing to a visible state during laser verification. This dynamic behavior eliminates the harmful effect of continuous visual disruption while maintaining security functionality when needed
Solution Approach 2:
The laser-active printing ink undergoes a color change upon laser exposure, transforming from an invisible or light-colored state to a visible silver-grey state. This allows the security element to remain aesthetically acceptable during normal use while providing robust security verification when laser exposure occurs
3Ease of manufacture
If laser beam is used to engrave data into substrate, then personalization is achieved, but organic molecules are burned and soot particles are formed
Solution Approach 1:
The concentration of carbon black in the printing ink is precisely controlled within the range of 1 to 10% by weight. This parameter optimization allows the ink to be sufficiently laser-active for conversion while minimizing combustion and soot formation during the laser personalization process
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the potential harmful effect of carbon black combustion into a beneficial property by using controlled amounts of carbon black to create laser-active ink that converts to visible silver-grey patterns. The minimal combustion that occurs creates the desired security element visibility rather than merely being a harmful byproduct
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 secure and easily recognizable security element that is not disruptive, allowing for reliable verification of personal information without disturbing the appearance of the data carrier, especially in dark areas, and is effective in preventing forgery.
Implementation Method 1
Individual data such as photos, writing and numbers are incorporated into the plastic using laser beams. Organic molecules are burned by the laser beam and soot particles are formed as a result.
Implementation Method 2
Organic molecules are burned by the laser beam and soot particles are formed as a result.
Implementation Method 3
The printing ink in the area where the laser penetrates is converted into the laser-active ink, so that it lights up silver in this area
Implementation Method 4
the laser-active Printing ink of the security element in the area where the laser penetrates is converted into the laser-active ink, so that it lights up silver in this area at a certain angle of incidence and is visible differently depending on the viewing angle
Data Source
Figure 1~2
AI summary
In order to produce a data carrier (1) a substrate (6) is printed with a printing ink and personalized by means of a laser. The printing ink is laser-active and is converted at least in regions during the personalization in such a way that, for example, a silver-grade pigment is formed which is readily visible only when the substrate (6) is inclined. In particular, the printing ink has a comparatively small proportion of carbon black that is converted by the laser essentially without disturbing combustion and overall formation.