Modular Laser Individualization Apparatus for Secure Document Marking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing laser individualization devices for security documents are cumbersome, difficult to handle, and lack effective protection for safety-relevant components, making them challenging to operate and secure, especially in decentralized settings.
Innovation Solution
A modular laser individualization device with a controllable attenuation unit and modular design, featuring a beam guiding system with pivotable mirrors and adjustable reflectivity, allowing for precise control of laser power and enabling the creation of micro-scale markings, along with a suction system for gas management and a document selection device for quality control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If laser individualization devices are equipped with all necessary components for complete functionality, then the device achieves full operational capability, but the device becomes large, heavy, and difficult to handle
Solution Approach 1:
The laser individualization device is divided into separate functional modules: a control unit housing containing control components and a functional unit housing containing the laser beam generating device and beam guiding device. These modules can be connected via detachable connections, allowing the device to be handled in smaller, more manageable sections while maintaining complete functionality when assembled.
2Reliability
If security-relevant components are integrated into the device, then the device achieves full security functionality, but the device becomes more difficult to secure against theft
Solution Approach 1:
Security-relevant components are distributed across separate module housings rather than being concentrated in a single device. The control unit housing and functional unit housing can be detached and secured separately, making it more difficult for thieves to steal and operate the complete system while maintaining full security functionality when properly assembled.
3Productivity
If the device is designed for decentralized use, then document issuance time is reduced, but the device becomes more vulnerable to theft and harder to secure
Solution Approach 1:
The modular design allows the device to be deployed in decentralized locations while maintaining security. The separate module housings can be secured in locked compartments or safes when not in use, and the detachable connections prevent unauthorized operation even if one module is stolen. This enables fast document issuance at decentralized points while mitigating theft risks.
4Ease of operation
If modular design with detachable connections is implemented, then the device becomes easier to handle and secure, but the alignment and connection precision becomes more challenging
Solution Approach 1:
The module housings are equipped with self-aligning detachable connection mechanisms that automatically ensure precise alignment when modules are connected. This eliminates the need for complex manual adjustment procedures while maintaining the ease of handling provided by the modular design.
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 enhances the ease of handling and security of the device, allows for efficient marking of documents with micro-scale precision, and ensures reliable operation and quality control, making it more suitable for decentralized use and improved document security.
Implementation Method 1
the attenuation unit having two plane-parallel surfaces which are as identical as possible in terms of their solid-state properties and are oriented 90° with respect to the plane-parallel surfaces, wherein at least one of the surfaces is partially mirrored and the attenuation unit can be moved into the beam path or the beam path can be guided through the attenuation unit in such a way that the laser radiation is essentially at an angle below 45° with respect to the plane-parallel surfaces of the body
Implementation Method 2
laser radiation is directed at a document blank in a controlled manner and this brings about an interaction between the laser radiation and components of the document blank, which leads to a permanent change, for example through pyrolysis of a plastic material
Implementation Method 3
leads to a permanent change, for example through pyrolysis of a plastic material, ablation of material of the document blank
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3a~3d
AI summary
The invention relates to a laser individualization apparatus (1) for documents (23) comprising: a control device (6); a laser beam generating device (5) for generating laser radiation (20) and a controllable beam guiding device (21) for directing the laser radiation (20) onto at least one document (23) in a manner controlled by the control device (6), in order to store individualization information in the at least one document (23) by means of laser interaction, wherein the laser individualization apparatus (1) is embodied in modular fashion by virtue of the laser beam generating device (5) being arranged in a beam generating module housing (4) and the controllable beam guiding device (21) being arranged in a functional module housing (2) formed separately from the beam generating module housing (4), which are connected or can be connected to one another in a releasable manner.