Optically Variable Security Element with Multicolored Raster
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing optically variable security elements with line screen coatings suffer from register inaccuracies that result in a streaky and blotchy appearance, which cannot be adequately camouflaged, impairing the homogeneous color impression and making them susceptible to counterfeiting.
Innovation Solution
A full-area, linear, multicolored raster structure combined with an embossed structure, where the coating and embossed elements contain overlapping information, with modulated line designs that create graphic or alphanumeric images, distracting from register inaccuracies and enhancing the overall visual appeal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a line screen coating is used to create optically variable security elements, then the security element provides visual recognition and anti-counterfeiting capability, but register inaccuracies occur during printing that result in a streaky and blotchy appearance, impairing the homogeneous color impression
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies color theory by designing a background print with a complementary color scheme that is optically complementary to the halftone blind embossing. This color relationship creates a visual effect where the colored areas mask the register inaccuracies, as the human eye is drawn to the color contrast rather than the registration errors. The complementary colors neutralize each other's deficiencies, producing a homogeneous overall appearance despite printing inaccuracies
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the harmful effect of register inaccuracies into a beneficial camouflage effect. By strategically positioning colored areas with complementary colors around the halftone blind embossing, the registration errors are transformed into a design feature where the color contrast draws attention away from the inaccuracies. The harmful streaky and blotchy appearance is converted into an acceptable visual characteristic that maintains the security element's aesthetic and functional integrity
2Manufacturing precision
If colored areas are added to camouflage register inaccuracies, then the homogeneous color impression is improved, but the device complexity and number of printing processes increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the background print and halftone blind embossing into a single integrated security element design. Both elements are applied to the same data carrier and work together synergistically - the background print provides the complementary color field while the halftone blind embossing provides the optically variable effect. This unified approach allows the system to achieve homogeneous color appearance through the interaction of two elements rather than requiring multiple separate corrective printing processes
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 effectively masks register inaccuracies in the coating, focusing the viewer's attention on the graphic or alphanumeric information, thereby improving the security element's attractiveness and authenticity verification, while maintaining a homogeneous color impression.
Implementation Method 1
The embossed structure and the coating are combined in such a way that a tilting effect is created when viewed alternately vertically and at an angle
Implementation Method 2
a data carrier with an optically variable element which consists of an embossed structure and a coating that contrasts with the surface of the data carrier
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2a~2h
Figure 3
AI summary
The invention relates to a security element comprising an optically variable structure that is provided with an embossed structure (6). The embossed structure is arranged in combination with a coating (4) that contrasts with the surface of the data support such that at least parts of the coating are visible when viewed from a vertical position while being concealed when viewed from an angle in a predetermined direction of view such that a tilting effect is produced when the structure is viewed alternately from the vertical position and from an angle. According to the invention, the optically variable structure consists of a coating which extends over the entire surface and is linear and multicoloured, i.e. at least a two-coloured grid strucure, and of an embossed structure. The coating and the embossed structure each comprise at least one information visible for a viewer, wherein the information of the coating and the embossed structure partially overlap. The information provided on the linear and multicoloured grid structure of the coating, which covers the entire surface, is configured essentially as a negative and/or positive representation in the form of a modulation of the lines of the grid structure.