Security Element Microreflector Patterns Perpendicular Parallel Movement

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Solution Overview

Problem

Security elements with microreflectors that exhibit movement effects are difficult to reproduce using conventional printing techniques and lack sufficient security against forgery, as the effects are easily recognizable but not sufficiently concise.

Innovation Solution

A security element with two distinct microreflector patterns, where the first pattern creates a movement effect perpendicular to the main plane and the second pattern creates a movement effect parallel to or within the main plane, enhancing security and usability by making it harder to simulate the perpendicular movement.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional printing techniques are used to produce security elements with movement effects, then the production process is simple and accessible, but the security against forgery is insufficient because the effects are easily recognizable and not sufficiently concise

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesecurity against forgeryVSAvoiddifficulty to reproduce
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The security element is divided into two distinct microreflector patterns, each responsible for different movement effects. The first pattern creates movement perpendicular to the main plane, while the second pattern creates movement parallel to the main plane. This segmentation makes the security element difficult to reproduce because conventional printing techniques cannot easily replicate both types of microreflector structures with their specific optical properties

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention introduces a new dimension of security by creating microreflectors that produce movement effects perpendicular to the main plane of the security element. This vertical movement component (first microreflector pattern) adds complexity that goes beyond traditional planar security features, making forgery more difficult while maintaining visual conciseness

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Reliability

If a single microreflector pattern is used to create movement effects, then the structure is simple, but the security and visual impact are insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesecurity against forgeryVSAvoidstructure of microreflector patterns
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The security element is divided into two distinct microreflector patterns, each responsible for different movement effects. The first pattern creates movement perpendicular to the main plane, while the second pattern creates movement parallel to the main plane. This segmentation makes the security element difficult to reproduce because conventional printing techniques cannot easily replicate both types of microreflector structures with their specific optical properties

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention combines two different microreflector patterns on a single security element, each producing distinct movement effects. The first pattern generates perpendicular movement while the second pattern generates parallel movement. This merging of multiple functional patterns into one security element enhances both security and visual impact without requiring multiple separate components

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 combination of different movement effects increases security against forgery and provides a more striking and concise visual effect for the viewer, making it more difficult to replicate the security element.

Implementation Method 1

Security element with microreflectors, and production method thereof... the microreflectors being structured in such a way that they present at least one object... use microreflectors in reflection to present objects that show movement effects

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectReflection: Reflection

Data Source

PatentEP3621818B1Security element comprising microreflectors, and manufacturing method
Publication Date: 2021.09.08 GIESECKE & DEVRIENT CURRENCY TECHNOLOGY GMBH
  • EP3621818B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3621818B1 patent drawingFigure 3~5
  • EP3621818B1 patent drawingFigure 6A~6K

AI summary

In a flat security element having microreflectors, in particular for manufacturing value documents such as banknotes (B), cheques or the like, the flat security element (S) has a main plane (H), and the microreflectors (3, 4) show at least one object (5, 6) which has a movement effect (7, 8) in relation to the main plane (H) when the security element is tilted and/or rotated. According to the invention, the security element (S) has at least a first and a second microreflector pattern (1, 2) which differ from each other in respect of both the object (5, 6) shown by same and the movement effect (7, 8) generated, the first microreflector pattern (1) being designed such that the movement effect (7) extends at least partially perpendicular to the main plane (H), and the second microreflector pattern (2) being designed such that the movement effect (8) extends within the main plane (H) or parallel thereto.