Optically Readable Security Element Age Verification via Temporal Excitation-Emission

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Solution Overview

Problem

Optically readable security elements using quantum dots or fluorescent materials face degradation in optical performance over time, leading to a negative temporal excitation-emission relationship that compromises their security functionality.

Innovation Solution

A method and system that derive information from optically readable security elements by determining optical properties using emission electromagnetic radiation and combining them with temporal excitation-emission relationships, allowing for the identification of age, environmental exposure, or tampering, and applying correction factors based on these relationships.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If optically readable structures (quantum dots, fluorescent materials) are used in security elements, then the security element can provide unique identifiers and authentication information, but the optical performance degrades over time leading to reduced reliability

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesecurity functionalityVSAvoidoptical performance stability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent converts the harmful degradation effect into a beneficial security feature by using the temporal excitation-emission relationship as an additional authentication parameter. The degradation pattern, which was previously a problem, is now measured and verified to confirm the security element's authenticity and age, transforming the reliability issue into a security advantage

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements feedback by measuring the actual temporal excitation-emission relationship of the optically readable structure and comparing it against expected patterns. This feedback mechanism allows the system to verify authenticity, determine element age, and detect environmental exposure, thereby maintaining security functionality despite optical degradation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Measurement precision

If conventional optically readable structures are used, then the element can be read optically to derive information, but the excitation-emission relationship degrades over time reducing measurement precision

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoptical reading accuracyVSAvoidtemporal degradation

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by transitioning from static optical property measurement to dynamic temporal excitation-emission relationship measurement. Instead of relying on stable optical properties that degrade over time, the system measures the time-dependent behavior of the optically readable structure, capturing its dynamic response characteristics which remain distinctive even as absolute performance degrades

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the measurement parameter from static optical intensity to dynamic temporal excitation-emission relationship. By measuring how the emission evolves over time in response to excitation, the system obtains parameters that preserve measurement precision for authentication purposes despite temporal degradation of the optical materials

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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 approach leverages the degradation of temporal excitation-emission relationships to provide additional security information, such as age verification and environmental exposure detection, enhancing the security and reliability of optically readable elements.

Implementation Method 1

the optically readable structure might take the form of a quantum dot, or molecules of fluorescent material

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFluorescence: Fluorescence

Implementation Method 2

optically readable in response to excitation of the optically readable structure

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhotoluminescence: Photoluminescence

Data Source

PatentUS11562611B2Deriving information from an optically readable security element

Publication Date: 2023.01.24 QUANTUM BASE LTD

AI summary

According to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of deriving information from an optically readable security element, comprising: optically reading the optically readable security element, the optically readable security element comprising at least one optically readable structure, optically readable in response to excitation of the optically readable structure; the reading comprising determining data indicative of an optical property of the optically readable security element using first emission electromagnetic radiation, emitted in response to excitation of the optically readable structure; the deriving information further comprising using the determined data indicative of an optical property, in combination with a temporal excitation-emission relationship related to the optically readable structure, to derive the information.