Laser-Ablated Tactile Security Lines on Identity Cards
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current security products, such as identity cards, face challenges in preventing forgery and counterfeiting, particularly when portrait images are altered or covered, as existing security features are not sufficiently robust to deter such modifications.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a tactile security feature formed by a laser-created pattern of straight lines that extend from edge to edge and intersect at predetermined angles, which can be integrated into the print or protective layers of the card, providing a 'Level 1' security feature that can be easily verified by touch without technical aids.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a portrait image is attached to a valuable or security product, then the product can verify identity, but the portrait image can be forged or falsified by painting over it with a thin film
Solution Approach 1:
A tactile security feature is created in advance by laser-ablating straight lines into the print layer or protective layer before any potential forgery attempt. These pre-formed tactile lines serve as a baseline security feature that makes subsequent portrait forgery detectable, as any painting or film application will distort or cover these tactile lines.
Solution Approach 2:
The tactile security feature acts as an intermediary element between the portrait image and the forgery attempt. By incorporating tactile lines that run through or across the portrait, any attempt to alter the portrait must also alter these tactile lines, providing a detectable indicator of forgery.
2Reliability
If a tactile security feature is created by laser-ablating straight lines into the print layer or protective layer, then forgery detection is enhanced, but the manufacturing process becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical security feature creation methods with laser ablation technology. The laser directly ablates material to create tactile security lines without requiring mechanical cutting, molding, or assembly steps, thereby simplifying the manufacturing process while maintaining high security standards.
Solution Approach 2:
The laser parameters (power, speed, pulse duration) are optimized to create the desired tactile security features in a single pass. By carefully controlling the laser ablation parameters, the process achieves high precision and reliability without requiring multiple manufacturing steps or complex equipment.
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 solution enhances the security of identity cards and similar documents by making it difficult to forge or counterfeit the portrait image, as the tactile pattern provides a visible and tangible indication of authenticity, even to inexperienced observers, thereby increasing the document's resistance to counterfeiting.
Implementation Method 1
forming a security feature in at least one of the print layers (140a) of the portrait image (110) using a laser, and/or forming a security feature in at least one protective layer (150) covering the printing layers (140a)
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3a~3c
Figure 3d~3f
AI summary
The invention relates to a security product (100), in particular an identity card, comprising a carrier material and a portrait image (110) formed from one or more printed layers (140a) attached thereto. To secure the portrait image (110), a tactile security feature (500) formed by means of a laser and comprising at least one straight line is applied or incorporated into at least one of the printed layers (140a) of the portrait image (110) or into at least one protective layer (150) covering the printed layers (140a). The invention also relates to a method for manufacturing the security product (100).