Security Document Optical Mask Modulation for Unauthorized Access Prevention

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing security and valuable documents with RFID functionality lack effective protection against unauthorized data access, as the RFID interface can be accessed without the consent of the document holder.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating an optical mask and a radiation-sensitive matrix in the document, which modulates optical information and requires exposure to radiation for activation, allowing only authorized access by matching recorded optical information with stored reference information, thereby enhancing security and anti-counterfeit protection.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If RFID interface is integrated into the document for wireless communication, then convenience of access and data retrieval is improved, but security against unauthorized access deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveConvenience of accessVSAvoidSecurity against unauthorized access
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by requiring that optical information be recorded onto the document before RFID access can be authorized. The document must first be exposed to radiation with modulated optical information, which is then stored and used as a prerequisite for enabling secure RFID communication. This preliminary step ensures that only documents with verified optical information can subsequently access RFID functions, preventing unauthorized access while maintaining convenience for authorized users.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If optical mask and radiation-sensitive matrix are added to enhance security, then security and anti-counterfeit protection are improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveSecurity and anti-counterfeit protectionVSAvoidStructure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the optical mask and radiation-sensitive matrix into a single integrated unit within the document structure. Rather than treating these as separate components, they are combined to form a unified security feature that records and verifies optical information. This merging reduces overall system complexity while maintaining the dual functionality of optical information recording and RFID access control, thereby improving security without proportionally increasing device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Reliability

If optical information verification is required before use, then unauthorized access is prevented, but productivity and speed of access are reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveAccess control securityVSAvoidSpeed of access
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by recording the optical information onto the document during its issuance or activation phase. This optical information is stored in advance and can be quickly verified through simple radiation exposure and detection. By performing the complex verification setup beforehand, the actual access process requires only a rapid optical check rather than lengthy verification procedures, thus maintaining high access speed while ensuring security.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary 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

This solution provides enhanced security features by ensuring that the document can only be used after optical information is verified, preventing unauthorized access and expanding storage capacity through optical memory, while also enabling basic access control to prevent unwanted reading.

Implementation Method 1

A radiation-sensitive matrix for detecting optical information is arranged behind the area

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAbsorption (EM radiation): Absorption (EM radiation)

Implementation Method 2

an optical element which modulates optical information onto incident radiation, such as by location-dependent modulation of the radiation intensities and/or by diffraction of the radiation

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDiffraction: Diffraction

Data Source

PatentEP1986868B1Document in particular value or security document method for inputting a piece of information computer programme product and reading device
Publication Date: 2013.06.05 BUNDESDRUCKEREI GMBH
  • EP1986868B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP1986868B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP1986868B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a document with a region (108) for forming means (110; 138; 146; 160) which optically modulate information onto incident light (106, 128), a radiation-sensitive matrix (112, 114; 154, 156, 158) behind said region for recording the optical information and a circuit (116, 118, 122; 136) for inputting the information.