Secure Article Revelation Screen Nested Image Authentication

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current secure articles lack advanced optical systems capable of producing multiple visual effects for authentication and identification, limiting their ability to differentiate between similar items, such as banknotes with the same fiduciary value, and are restricted to displaying a single imprinted image at a time.

Innovation Solution

A secure article featuring a revelation frame and a combined image with nested images of different colors, where the revelation frame comprises occulting and non-occulting elements, allowing for the observation of multiple revealed images by adjusting the angle or position, creating a colorful pattern recognizable by the naked eye and providing new authentication possibilities.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a single imprinted image is used in secure articles, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the authentication capability is limited and cannot differentiate between similar items

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveauthentication capabilityVSAvoidstructure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements nested images where multiple images are superimposed on the same plane. Each nested image contains unique visual information that can be revealed by selectively obscuring portions of the combined image. This allows multiple authentication patterns to coexist in a single compact structure, enhancing authentication capability without proportionally increasing structural complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent divides the combined image into multiple nested images that can be independently controlled. By using an obscuring image with transparent and opaque regions, specific nested images can be selectively revealed or hidden. This segmentation allows the system to display different authentication patterns from a single combined image structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple nested images are displayed simultaneously, then authentication capability is enhanced, but the visual complexity increases making it harder to observe and recognize patterns

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveauthentication capabilityVSAvoidpattern recognition difficulty
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDifficulty of detecting and measuring

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and displays only the relevant nested image information at any given time by using transparent and opaque regions in the obscuring image. This selective extraction allows observers to clearly see one authentication pattern without interference from other nested images, maintaining ease of recognition while preserving multiple authentication options.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent enables dynamic switching between different nested images by moving or rotating the obscuring image relative to the combined image. This dynamic control allows the same physical structure to present different authentication patterns on demand, enhancing versatility while keeping the observer interface simple and clear at any moment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Adaptability or versatility

If the dimension of non-occulting screen elements is greater than nested image elements, then multiple nested images can be observed, but the precision of individual image observation is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemulti-image observation capabilityVSAvoidimage observation precision
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses non-occulting screen elements with dimensions larger than individual nested image elements, creating an intentional overlap region. This excessive dimension ensures that when the obscuring image is positioned to reveal one nested image, adjacent nested images are partially visible in the overlap region, providing context and enabling verification of multiple images simultaneously while maintaining clear observation of the primary image.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

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

Enables the formation of distinct, easily recognizable patterns through multiple revealed images, effectively differentiating between similar secure articles and enhancing authentication capabilities without requiring complex devices.

Implementation Method 1

the revelation frame comprises occulting and non-occulting elements, allowing for the observation of multiple revealed images by adjusting the angle or position

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight transmission and blocking: Absorption (EM radiation)

Data Source

PatentEP3397502B1Secure article comprising a combined image and/or a revelation screen
Publication Date: 2021.09.22 OBERTHUR FIDUCIAIRE SAS
  • EP3397502B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3397502B1 patent drawingFigure 2A~2C
  • EP3397502B1 patent drawingFigure 3A~3F

AI summary

The invention relates to a secure article comprising a revelation screen (4) and a combined image (I), or a set comprising a secure article and another object, the secure article comprising one of the revelation screen (4) and the combined image (I) and the object comprising or making up the other of the revelation screen (4) and the combined image (I), the combined image (I) consisting of a plurality of overlapping images (I1), the combined image (I) comprising a periodic alternation of overlapping image elements (i1) in a first direction (X), the revelation screen (4) comprising a masking screen element (5a) alternating periodically with a non-masking screen element (5b) in a second direction (X; XT), the size of the non-masking screen elements (5b) in the second direction (X; XT) being greater than the size, in the first direction (X), of at least one element of overlapping images (i1), the revelation screen (4) making it possible, when same is placed over the combined image (I), to observe various revealed images (Ir) by moving the revelation screen (4) in relation to the combined image (I) and/or by changing the observation angle.