Perforated White Opaque Layer for Wider-Gamut Security Images

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing security document image formation techniques, particularly those using laserable layers, often result in limited color gamut and unsatisfactory visual rendering quality, and the use of lenses can cause document deformation.

Innovation Solution

A security document design featuring a matrix of colored sub-pixels with an opaque white layer containing perforations that reveal sub-pixels, combined with a laserable layer for additional greyscale levels, allows for expanded color gamut and improved contrast without lens heating.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If laserable layers are used to form coloured images, then image formation is achieved, but color gamut is limited and visual rendering quality is unsatisfactory

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecolor gamutVSAvoidvisual rendering quality

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The image formation system is segmented into two independent functional layers: a lower laserable layer for generating colored sub-pixels and an upper opaque layer with perforations for creating white sub-pixels. This segmentation allows each layer to specialize in specific color contributions, enabling the combination of colored and white sub-pixels to achieve a broader color gamut and improved visual rendering quality simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Adaptability or versatility

If lenses are used to focus light on white sub-pixels, then color gamut is improved, but document heating and deformation occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecolor gamutVSAvoiddocument deformation

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The harmful lens component is completely removed from the system. Instead of using lenses to focus light on white sub-pixels, the invention extracts the light-focusing function by using the physical structure of the opaque layer with perforations. The perforations themselves act as the light-guiding elements, eliminating the need for separate lens components that cause heating and deformation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The optical-mechanical lens system is replaced with a purely structural solution using the opaque layer with perforations. The perforations create white sub-pixels through their physical presence and light transmission properties, substituting the complex optical-mechanical lens system with a simpler structural approach that avoids heating and deformation issues.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Illumination intensity

If an opaque layer masks coloured sub-pixels, then white appearance is achieved, but color variety is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewhite appearanceVSAvoidcolor variety

Core Design Contradiction:

Illumination intensityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The opaque layer is given local quality variations through its perforation pattern. In regions where perforations are present, the layer becomes transparent to reveal colored sub-pixels below, creating white or colored sub-pixels as needed. In regions without perforations, the layer remains opaque to provide white appearance. This local quality variation allows the single opaque layer to contribute both white and colored sub-pixels, maintaining color variety while achieving the desired white appearance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

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 design achieves a broader color gamut with brighter colors and enhanced image contrast, eliminating the need for lenses and reducing the risk of document deformation.

Implementation Method 1

the opaque layer with a white appearance comprises perforations facing (for example above) sub-pixels of the matrix of coloured sub-pixels such that, when the device is observed from above, a coloured image appears

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLight transmission through perforations:

Implementation Method 2

the application of a laser beam to the layer (generally called laserization) generates visible greyscale levels through carbonization in this layer

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLaser carbonization: Laser

Implementation Method 3

the application of a laser beam to the layer (generally called laserization) generates visible greyscale levels through carbonization in this layer

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCarbonization: Pyrolysis

Data Source

PatentUS12552194B2Security document comprising a perforated opaque layer with a white appearance above a matrix of coloured sub-pixels

Publication Date: 2026.02.17 IDEMIA IDENTITY & SECURITY FRANCE SAS

AI summary

A security document having a stack of layers including a matrix of coloured sub-pixels, an opaque layer with a white appearance above the matrix of coloured sub-pixels, the opaque layer with a white appearance having perforations facing sub-pixels of the matrix of coloured sub-pixels such that, when the device is observed from above, a coloured image appears.