RF-Activated Lamination Security Element for Authorized Verification

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing security documents lack a verification process that is easy to perform but difficult for unauthorized individuals to carry out without consent, and existing security features are vulnerable to counterfeiting.

Innovation Solution

A lamination body with an integrated antenna structure and actuator that changes an externally detectable property upon verification, using high-frequency electromagnetic radiation to induce a current for actuator activation, which is controlled by a circuit arrangement to ensure only authorized verification occurs.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional security features are used in lamination bodies, then verification can be performed, but the verification process is vulnerable to counterfeiting and unauthorized replication

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveverification reliabilityVSAvoidsecurity feature complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple functional components (antenna structure, circuit arrangement, actuator) into a composite security feature system embedded within the lamination body. This composite structure integrates electromagnetic reception, signal processing, and physical state change capabilities, creating a verification system that is both reliable and difficult to counterfeit while maintaining manageable complexity through functional integration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Ease of operation

If simple verification methods are used, then ease of verification is improved, but unauthorized individuals can easily perform verification without consent

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveverification easeVSAvoidauthorization control
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces traditional mechanical or optical verification methods with an electromagnetic-based system. The antenna structure receives electromagnetic signals, the circuit arrangement processes them, and the actuator responds accordingly. This substitution enables remote, contactless verification that can be controlled through electromagnetic signal authentication, maintaining ease of operation while preventing unauthorized verification through signal-based authorization protocols.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Measurement precision

If an actuator that changes externally detectable properties is integrated, then verification certainty is enhanced, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveverification precisionVSAvoidlamination body complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent embeds the antenna structure, circuit arrangement, and actuator within the layered structure of the lamination body itself. The actuator is integrated between substrate layers, and the antenna structure is incorporated into the lamination architecture. This nesting approach enhances verification precision through embedded sensing while minimizing overall device complexity by utilizing the existing lamination body structure as the housing and integration platform.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

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

Enhances verification certainty by ensuring that only genuine documents are recognized through a temporal progression of detection signals, making it difficult for unauthorized individuals to counterfeit or verify without proper authorization.

Implementation Method 1

an antenna structure for receiving electromagnetic high-frequency radiation

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic induction: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 2

The security element comprises an electrochromic layer (430), in particular a switchable layer

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectrochromism: Electrochromism

Data Source

PatentEP4182846B1Lamination body comprising an activatable actuator, and method for verifying the lamination body
Publication Date: 2026.01.07 BUNDESDRUCKEREI GMBH
  • EP4182846B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4182846B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4182846B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a lamination body (100) comprising: an antenna structure (300) for receiving electromagnetic high-frequency radiation; a circuit arrangement (500) which is coupled to the antenna structure (300) and is designed to demodulate and evaluate at least one item of verification information modulated onto the electromagnetic high-frequency radiation; an electrically operable actuator (400) which is coupled to the circuit arrangement (500) and can be switched by means of the circuit arrangement (500) between at least one state in which it is not supplied with current and a state in which it is supplied with current and in which the actuator (400) changes at least one physical property of the lamination body (100) in comparison with the state of the actuator (400) in which it is not supplied with current, which property can be detected from outside the lamination body (100), wherein the circuit arrangement (500) is designed to compare the demodulated verification information with stipulations during the evaluation process and to switch the actuator (400) into the state in which it is supplied with current only if the demodulated verification information corresponds to the stipulations. The invention also relates to a method for verifying a security element in such a lamination body (100).