Light Guide Structure for Anti-Counterfeiting Security Features
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a continuous need for new, secure, and cost-effective security features that can be easily implemented and individualized for value and security documents to prevent counterfeiting and falsification, while also allowing for easy recognition of encoded information.
Innovation Solution
The integration of light guide structures within the product layer, formed by a material strand section with end faces located on the main surfaces, which allows for the transmission and reflection of electromagnetic radiation to create an optically perceptible security feature that is difficult to imitate.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional security features (watermarks, holograms, embossing) are used, then authenticity proof is provided, but they are vulnerable to counterfeiting and falsification
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses light guide structures that transmit electromagnetic radiation to create optically perceptible security features. These structures can be configured to display different colors or optical properties when illuminated, making them difficult to counterfeit while maintaining ease of verification. The material strand sections with specific optical properties create visible patterns that change appearance based on viewing angle or illumination conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent integrates light guide structures made from material strands within the product layer of the security document. This composite construction combines the base document material with optical guiding elements, creating a multi-layered security feature that is inherently difficult to replicate. The light guide structures are embedded within the document matrix, requiring multiple manufacturing steps and specialized materials that deter counterfeiting.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If complex security features are implemented to prevent forgery, then security is improved, but manufacturing complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The light guide structures are incorporated into the document during the manufacturing process itself, rather than being added as separate post-processing elements. The material strands are positioned and embedded within the product layer before final document assembly, allowing security features to be created as an integrated part of document production. This preliminary integration simplifies overall manufacturing while maintaining high security standards.
Solution Approach 2:
The light guide structures are designed to automatically guide and transmit light through the document without requiring external mechanical or electronic systems. The optical properties of the material strand sections themselves provide the security function, eliminating the need for complex controlling mechanisms. The structures self-regulate light transmission based on their physical configuration, reducing manufacturing complexity while maintaining security effectiveness.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If security features are made difficult to imitate, then forgery resistance is improved, but ease of recognition by humans and machines decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The light guide structures are configured to produce distinct optical patterns, colors, or light transmission characteristics that are easily visible to the human eye and detectable by machine reading devices. When illuminated, these structures create recognizable patterns that can be quickly verified while maintaining complexity that prevents accurate replication. The optical properties provide both security and ease of verification simultaneously.
4Loss of information
If individualizing security features are added with coded information, then document identification is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The light guide structures serve multiple functions simultaneously: they provide optical security features for visual verification, encode individualizing information about the document, and create patterns that are difficult to replicate. The same material strand configurations that provide security also carry encoded information, eliminating the need for separate identification systems. This multi-functionality reduces overall device complexity while maintaining comprehensive document identification capabilities.
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 provides a secure and cost-effective means to create a security feature that is easily recognizable by both humans and machines, enhancing the authenticity and individualization of value and security documents while being resistant to forgery.
Implementation Method 1
The at least one light guide structure has a first end face for light entry and a second end face for light exit. Electromagnetic radiation which has entered the light guide structure via the first end face is passed on to the second end face and exits there again.
Implementation Method 2
The at least one light guide structure is formed by a material strand section with a first refractive index and to surround the light guide structure, a second material with a second refractive index is provided, which has a lower refractive index than the first refractive index
Data Source
Figure 1~3
Figure 2(A)~2C
Figure 4~5
AI summary
The invention relates to a security feature (200) of a new type, for a value product or security product (100), which security feature (200) is formed by at least one light-guiding structure (220), which extends through a product layer (105) having a front main surface (101) and a rear main surface (103). The at least one light-guiding structure (220) comprises an end face (230) for letting light in and an end face (210) for letting light out. All end faces (210, 230) are located in the region of one of the main surfaces (101, 103). The light-guiding structure (220) is formed by a material strand segment (250).