Luminescent Security Element With Selective Unblocking for Personalization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing security elements in data carriers such as identity cards and banknotes lack enhanced safety features to prevent counterfeiting and ensure secure personalization.
Innovation Solution
A data carrier with a blocking element that selectively blocks or allows electromagnetic radiation to excite and emit from a radiating element, featuring unblocking regions to reveal personalized information like alphanumeric characters or machine-readable codes, using luminescent inks and selective filtering to enhance security.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a blocking element is used to block electromagnetic radiation from reaching the radiating element, then the security element remains hidden and secure, but the personalized information cannot be revealed when needed
Solution Approach 1:
The blocking element is pre-applied to completely block the radiating element, ensuring security by default. The personalization data is prepared in advance as a data structure that can be selectively revealed. When authentication is needed, the blocking element is selectively removed or made transparent in specific regions to reveal the personalized information without compromising overall security.
Solution Approach 2:
The blocking element transitions from a uniform blocking state to a differentiated state where specific local regions become transparent or removable. This allows different parts of the security element to have different properties: most areas remain blocked for security, while specific localized regions reveal personalized information for authentication purposes.
2Ease of manufacture
If conventional printing is used for personalization, then the process is simple and cost-effective, but the security protection is insufficient as marks are only on the surface
Solution Approach 1:
The invention replaces conventional mechanical printing processes with a system using electromagnetic radiation and luminescent materials. Instead of physically depositing ink on the surface, the system uses radiating elements that emit light in response to electromagnetic radiation, creating volume-based personalization marks that are inherently more secure and difficult to counterfeit.
Solution Approach 2:
The security element combines multiple materials with different properties: the blocking element (opaque or filtering material), the radiating element (luminescent material that responds to electromagnetic radiation), and the intermediate layer. This composite structure enables both the simplicity of a layered manufacturing process and the enhanced security of volume-based luminescent personalization.
3Reliability
If the blocking element blocks all electromagnetic radiation, then the radiating element is fully protected, but no personalized information can be detected or read
Solution Approach 1:
The blocking element's optical properties are dynamically changed from a fully blocking state to a transparent or partially transparent state in specific regions. This parameter change allows the radiating element to be protected when needed while enabling detection and reading of personalized information when authentication is required, without permanently compromising security.
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 solution provides increased security by selectively revealing personalized information only under specific electromagnetic radiation, enhancing anti-fraud protection and compatibility with existing security features.
Implementation Method 1
a radiating element (3), in particular a luminescent ink or additive, which is configured to absorb electromagnetic radiation constituting a radiating element excitation spectrum REX and to emit electromagnetic radiation constituting a radiating element emission spectrum REM
Implementation Method 2
a blocking element (2) arranged before the radiating element (3) with respect to the extension direction E, which is configured to block impinging electromagnetic radiation constituting a blocking element spectrum RB
Implementation Method 3
the blocking effect is cancelled or at least strongly reduced at the position of the unblocking region (4)
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5a~5b
AI summary
A data carrier (1) comprises at least one blocking element (2), at least one radiating element (3), at least one unblocking region (4) being provided in the blocking element (2), and at least one security element (7). At least one region (5) of the radiating element (3) is uncovered by the at least one unblocking region (4), whereby the at least one security element (7) is formed. The blocking element (2) is configured to block impinging electromagnetic radiation constituting a blocking element spectrum (RB). The radiating element (3) is configured to emit electromagnetic radiation constituting a radiating element emission spectrum (REM) upon irradiation of electromagnetic radiation constituting a radiating element excitation spectrum (REX), the radiating element excitation spectrum (REX) differing from the radiating element emission spectrum (REM). The blocking element (2) and the radiating element (3) are further configured such, i) that the blocking element spectrum (RB) essentially corresponds to the radiating element excitation spectrum (REX), or ii) that the blocking element spectrum (RB) essentially corresponds to the radiating element emission spectrum (REM).