Laser-Induced Holographic Security Feature in Document Layer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for incorporating security features into documents, such as holograms, require special materials and complex lamination processes, increasing the risk of forgery and complicating the personalization process.
Innovation Solution
A method that uses a document blank with a layer that absorbs a laser beam to create a holographic surface structure, allowing for the integration of document-specific security features directly into the document layer, eliminating the need for separate materials and lamination, and enabling efficient personalization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If separate materials with special thermal properties or light-active polymers are used to create holographic security features, then the security feature can be produced, but the device complexity and manufacturing complexity increase due to requiring special materials and additional lamination steps
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the security feature creation process with the existing document layer structure by using a laser beam to directly write holographic patterns into the document layer itself. This eliminates the need for separate holographic materials and lamination steps, as the security feature is integrated directly into the document layer through laser-induced surface structure modification.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces complex mechanical lamination processes with a laser-based direct writing process. Instead of physically applying separate holographic materials through lamination, the laser beam directly creates the holographic surface structure by modifying the document layer, substituting mechanical assembly with optical processing.
2Reliability
If separate materials are used for security features, then the security feature can be introduced, but the productivity decreases due to additional lamination work steps
Solution Approach 1:
The document layer is pre-configured with specific optical properties (transparency in visible light, absorption in laser wavelength range) during document manufacturing. This preliminary preparation allows the subsequent laser writing process to directly create security features without requiring additional materials or lamination steps, thereby improving productivity while maintaining security reliability.
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 significantly reduces the likelihood of counterfeiting by integrating holographic security features directly into the document, simplifying the personalization process, and enhancing protection against forgery by ensuring that the security features are inherently linked with other optical features.
Implementation Method 1
a document-specific surface structure is formed in the first region of the at least one document layer by absorption of at least one laser beam, the at least one laser beam having a wavelength in the first wavelength range
Implementation Method 2
the at least one document layer emitting light in at least a first spatial region in at least a first wavelength range
Data Source
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AI summary
A method for producing a security feature (106; 302; 304) for a document, comprising the following steps: providing a document blank, wherein the document blank has at least one document layer (101; 102), wherein at least one document layer (101; 102) extends over the entire document area, wherein the at least one document layer (101; 102) is light-absorbent in at least one first spatial area in at least one first wavelength range and transparent in at least one second spatial area in at least one second wavelength range of visible light, wherein the at least one document layer (101; 102) also has at least one optical document-nonspecific security feature, implementing a document-individual surface structure (106) in the first area of the at least one document layer (101; 102) by absorption of at least one laser beam, wherein the at least one laser beam has a wavelength in the first wavelength range, wherein the surface structure (106) is implemented to depict a hologram (112), which forms the document-individual security feature (106; 302; 304).