Secure Data Carrier Encoding Hidden Moiré Security Elements
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Solution Overview
Problem
Data carriers for secure articles, such as passports, are vulnerable to forgery and tampering due to the ease with which security elements like images or alphanumeric data can be removed or altered.
Innovation Solution
A data carrier with a security element that includes a primary element modulated with a modulation pattern encoding a secondary element, which changes appearance based on viewing angle when decoded by a device due to mismatched pitches and orientations, creating a dynamic Moiré effect.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a print security element is used on the data carrier, then the security element can be easily applied and viewed, but it becomes vulnerable to tampering and forgery
Solution Approach 1:
The patent embeds a secondary security element within the primary security element by encoding it into the modulation pattern of the primary element. The secondary element is hidden within the structure of the primary element, requiring a decoding device to extract and reveal it. This nesting approach maintains the visual appearance of the primary element while adding a hidden layer of security that is difficult to tamper with or forge.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent modulates the primary security element according to a modulation pattern with specific pitch and orientation parameters. By encoding the secondary security element through modifications to these parameters (pitch mismatch and/or orientation mismatch), the system creates a dynamic Moiré effect that changes appearance based on viewing angle. This parameter-based encoding makes the security element difficult to replicate without precise knowledge of the modulation parameters.
2Ease of operation
If a security element is made visible and static, then it is easy to inspect, but it can be easily removed and replaced by fraudulent data
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a dynamic security element whose appearance changes based on the viewing angle through the dynamic Moiré effect. When viewed from different angles, the modulation pattern and decoding pattern interact to produce changing visual appearances. This dynamic behavior makes the security element difficult to photograph or replicate, as the fraudulent copy would not exhibit the same angle-dependent changes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a decoding device as an intermediary between the security element and the observer. The decoding device is required to reveal the secondary security element encoded within the primary element. This intermediary adds a layer of complexity to the inspection process while significantly enhancing security, as the hidden information cannot be accessed or verified without the specific decoding device.
3Reliability
If a modulation pattern is used to encode secondary information, then security is enhanced, but the complexity of the security element increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the primary security element and the secondary security element into a single integrated structure. The secondary element is encoded directly into the modulation pattern of the primary element, so that one security element serves dual purposes: displaying primary information visibly and encoding secondary information hiddenly. This merging reduces overall system complexity compared to using separate security elements.
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 security by making the secondary element invisible without decoding, ensuring it is only visible through a specific decoding device, thus preventing easy tampering and improving authenticity verification.
Implementation Method 1
The modulation pitch mismatches a decoding pitch associated with the decoding device and/or the modulation orientation mismatches a decoding orientation of the decoding device. Hence, the present invention is based on the insight that mismatching pitches and/or mismatching orientations between the security element and the decoding device result in a so-called dynamic Moiré-effect.
Data Source
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AI summary
A data carrier (1) for a secure article (1000) comprises a carrier body (2) and at least one security element (3). The security element (3) comprises at least one primary security element (4) and at least one secondary security element (5) being encoded in the primary security element (4). The secondary security element (5) is configured to be decoded via at least one decoding device (6) and is configured such that, when being decoded with the decoding device (6), an appearance of the secondary security element (5) changes depending on a viewing angle under which the data carrier (1) is viewed. The primary security element (4) is modulated according to at least one modulation pattern, and wherein at a location of the secondary security element (5) the modulation pattern comprises at least one modification, whereby the secondary security element (5) is encoded in the primary security element (4). The modulation pattern is associated with a modulation pitch (MP) and a modulation orientation (MO). The modulation pitch (MP) mismatches a decoding pitch (DP) associated with the decoding device (6) and/or the modulation orientation (MO) mismatches a decoding orientation (DO) of the decoding device (6).