Machine-Readable Optical Security Device Integration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional optical security materials are incompatible with magnetic materials, causing interference with machine-readable features and making it impractical to incorporate machine-readable components into high-security documents and articles.
Innovation Solution
A machine-readable optical security device (MrOSD) that combines a transparent or translucent optical security device (OSD) with a machine-readable component, such as an IR or UV component, which imparts a characteristic signature detectable in the invisible spectral range, allowing for authentication without interfering with optical effects.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If magnetic materials are used in optical security devices, then machine-readable features can be incorporated, but they interfere with optical effects and reduce authentication reliability
Solution Approach 1:
The security device is divided into separate functional layers: an optical layer containing microlenses and image elements for visual authentication effects, and a separate machine-readable layer containing magnetic or other machine-readable features. This segmentation allows each layer to perform its function without interfering with the other, resolving the contradiction between machine-readable integration and optical effect preservation
Solution Approach 2:
A transparent or translucent substrate layer acts as an intermediary between the optical elements and machine-readable features. This intermediary allows optical light to pass through for visual authentication while providing a support structure for magnetic or other machine-readable components, enabling both functions to coexist without interference
2Measurement precision
If opaque materials are used to provide machine-readable features, then machine readability is improved, but optical effects are obstructed
Solution Approach 1:
The solution moves machine-readable features from the visual/optical dimension to the magnetic or electromagnetic dimension. By using magnetic materials or other non-optical machine-readable components, the device achieves high machine readability without blocking visible light, allowing optical effects to remain visible while machine-readable features are detected through a different physical dimension
3Reliability
If multi-layered optical materials are used to create mobile effects, then anti-counterfeiting capability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
A single transparent substrate layer serves multiple functions simultaneously: it supports the microlens array for optical authentication, provides structural integrity for the device, and acts as a carrier for machine-readable features. This multi-functionality reduces the number of separate layers needed while maintaining both optical and machine-readable authentication 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
Enables the integration of machine-readable features into high-security products without obstructing optical effects, enhancing security and authenticity verification.
Implementation Method 1
an Mr-component having a characteristic machine readable signature (Mr-signature) such as an infrared (IR) and/or ultraviolet (UV) signature
Data Source
AI summary
An IR and/or UV machine-readable optical security device (e.g., micro-optic security thread) that is made up of at least one IR-absorbing component with a characteristic IR signature detectable at two or more IR-wavelengths, at least one UV-absorbing component with a characteristic UV signature detectable at two or more UV-wavelengths, at least one IR-absorbing component that absorbs IR light and emits light at a different invisible wavelength, at least one UV-absorbing component that absorbs UV light and emits light at a different invisible wavelength, or a combination thereof, is provided. The IR and UV machine-readable features do not interfere with the optical effects projected by the optical material.