Security Feature Luminescent Component Camouflage

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing security features with luminescent components for value documents are difficult to analyze and distinguish from camouflage components, as they share similar chemical elements, making it challenging to prevent replication or imitation.

Innovation Solution

A security feature with a luminescent component and a camouflage component, where the camouflage component uses chemical elements with similar structural properties to the luminescent component, but with different chemical elements, making it harder to analyze and replicate the luminescent component.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Difficulty of detecting and measuring

If the camouflage component uses the same chemical elements as the luminescent component, then the camouflage effect is improved, but the analyzability of the luminescent component is improved instead of hindered

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveDifficulty of analyzing luminescent componentVSAvoidAnalyzability of luminescent component
Core Design Contradiction:
Difficulty of detecting and measuringVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by using chemical elements with similar structural properties (e.g., same group in periodic table) but different identities in the camouflage component compared to the luminescent component. This creates local differentiation at the elemental level while maintaining overall structural similarity, preventing identification of the luminescent component's specific composition without compromising the camouflage effect.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the chemical identity parameter of elements while maintaining similar structural properties. By selecting elements from the same periodic table group (e.g., using Al instead of Ga, or Mg instead of Zn), the patent alters the chemical composition parameter to prevent identification while preserving the structural framework that provides camouflage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Difficulty of detecting and measuring

If the camouflage component uses chemical elements with similar structural properties but different chemical identity, then the difficulty of analyzing the luminescent component is increased, but the material identity camouflage is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveDifficulty of elemental analysisVSAvoidMaterial identity camouflage
Core Design Contradiction:
Difficulty of detecting and measuringVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by using chemical elements with similar structural properties (e.g., same group in periodic table) but different identities in the camouflage component compared to the luminescent component. This creates local differentiation at the elemental level while maintaining overall structural similarity, preventing identification of the luminescent component's specific composition without compromising the camouflage effect.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Ease of operation

If conventional analytical methods are used to identify the luminescent component, then the identification process is simplified, but the security feature can be easily replicated

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveEase of identificationVSAvoidSecurity against replication
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the chemical identity parameter of elements while maintaining similar structural properties. By selecting elements from the same periodic table group (e.g., using Al instead of Ga, or Mg instead of Zn), the patent alters the chemical composition parameter to prevent identification while preserving the structural framework that provides camouflage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies partial action by providing enough structural similarity to maintain camouflage effectiveness while introducing sufficient chemical element differences to prevent complete identification. The camouflage component contains elements that are similar enough to maintain the overall structure and appearance but different enough to prevent exact replication through analysis.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

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

The use of a camouflage component with similar structural properties significantly increases the difficulty of analyzing the luminescent component, making it nearly impossible to replicate the security feature with conventional analysis methods.

Implementation Method 1

upon appropriate excitation, they exhibit one or more characteristic narrow-band luminescences

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLuminescence: Luminescence

Implementation Method 2

The emission of the luminophores used is also referred to as luminescence; this can include fluorescence and/or phosphorescence

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFluorescence: Fluorescence

Implementation Method 3

The emission of the luminophores used is also referred to as luminescence; this can include fluorescence and/or phosphorescence

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPhosphorescence: Phosphorescence

Implementation Method 4

in addition to the aforementioned luminescence, so-called energy transfer processes can be observed, which can lead to more complex emission spectra. In these energy transfer processes, one ion can transfer its energy to another

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectEnergy transfer:

Data Source

PatentEP4134405B1Security feature with multiple components
Publication Date: 2025.04.09 GIESECKE & DEVRIENT CURRENCY TECHNOLOGY GMBH

AI summary

The invention relates to a security feature comprising a luminescent component and a component that conceals the luminescent component. The invention is based on a security feature with a luminescent component having at least one luminophore, consisting of at least one doped host lattice, and a component that conceals the luminescent component, wherein the concealing component comprises chemical elements that have similar structural properties to the chemical elements of the luminescent component, and wherein the chemical elements of the concealing component and the chemical elements of the luminescent component are formed from different chemical elements.