Laser Beam Shaping Lens for Secure Printed Image Authentication
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for securing printed images on identification documents using laser technology are complex, expensive, and time-consuming, and lack effective security against fraudulent modifications.
Innovation Solution
Placing a lens in the path of the laser beam to deform the beam and create pixels with specific shapes, making it impossible to reproduce the image without the corresponding lens, and optionally rotating the lens during printing to introduce a variable code.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional laser printing is used to secure images on identification documents, then the printing process is simple and fast, but the security against fraudulent modifications is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical parameter of the laser beam by introducing a lens that deforms it into a specific shape (e.g., star, cross, or other geometric patterns). This shape parameter becomes a security feature that is easy to verify but difficult to reproduce without the specific lens, thereby improving security while maintaining simplicity of the printing process
Solution Approach 2:
The invention adds a new dimension to laser printing by not only printing the image but also embedding a shaped laser beam pattern within it. This additional dimensional feature (the beam shape) serves as a security element that can be easily detected with magnification, enhancing security without requiring complex additional systems
2Reliability
If micro-perforations are created through laser technology to reproduce personalization information, then authentication capability is improved, but the process becomes long and complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the security function from a separate complex process (micro-perforation authentication) and integrates it directly into the laser printing process itself. The shaping lens is placed in the laser beam path during normal printing, so security features are created simultaneously with the image, eliminating the need for separate authentication steps and reducing time loss
3Reliability
If image processing and calculation means are used to secure images by converting data to character type, then security is improved, but the process becomes complicated and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex computational and image processing systems with a simple optical element (a shaped lens) placed in the laser beam path. Instead of using software algorithms to create security features, the physical deformation of the laser beam by the lens creates secure patterns directly, substituting mechanical/optical simplicity for computational complexity
4Productivity
If a lens is placed in the laser beam path to deform the beam and create specific pixel shapes, then security is enhanced and printing becomes faster, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The shaped lens serves multiple functions simultaneously: it focuses the laser beam to maintain printing precision, deforms the beam to create secure pixel shapes, and can be rotated to vary the pattern. This single component performs what would otherwise require multiple separate systems, so while it adds one element to the device, it enables multiple security and productivity functions without proportionally increasing overall complexity
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 method provides a simple, fast, and secure way to print images, easily detectable for authenticity, eliminating the need for complex calculations and enhancing security against fraudulent modifications.
Implementation Method 1
The personalization information 4 transferred to the card body 2 comprises... inscribed on the surface 3 of the card body by means of a laser beam, by burning the surface of the card body. The resulting local discoloration of the surface depends on the energy available, the writing time and the material of the card body used.
Implementation Method 2
placing a lens on the path of the laser beam, upstream or downstream of a focusing device, so as to modifying the shape of the laser beam and giving the resulting printed pixels a specific shape
Data Source
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Figure 5
AI summary
The invention relates to a method for securing a printed image using a laser beam (52). To this end, a lens (55) is provided in the path of the laser beam (52) upstream or downstream from a focussing device (56) in order to warp the laser beam and to impart a specific shape to the resulting printed pixels (61).