Security Element Code Segmentation for Forgery Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
The widespread availability of readers for machine-readable optical markings on security documents and products has made it easier for forgeries, as these markings can be openly accessed and replicated.
Innovation Solution
A method involving dividing a code element into two partial code elements, where one is stored and the other is arranged on the object, allowing for joint machine capture and verification using a reader, with the second partial code element serving as a key to access the stored element for authentication, enhancing protection against forgery by obscuring the code element's function and preventing standard capture methods.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If machine-readable optical markings are provided on security elements, then the authenticity check can be performed by reading the marking, but the protection against forgery is weakened because readers become widespread and markings can be openly accessed and replicated
Solution Approach 1:
The code element is divided into two separate parts: a first partial code element that is arranged on the security element and a second partial code element that is stored in a database. This segmentation ensures that neither part alone is sufficient for forgery, as both are needed to reconstruct the complete code element for authentication.
Solution Approach 2:
The authentication system embeds multiple layers of security: the first partial code element is visible on the security element, while the second partial code element is hidden in the database. The complete code element is nested within this two-layer structure, requiring both layers to be combined for successful authentication.
2Device complexity
If the complete code element is arranged on the security element, then the authentication process is simplified, but the security is weakened because the complete code can be captured and replicated by readers
Solution Approach 1:
The code element is split into two separate code elements, preventing the complete code from being present on the security element in a single location. This segmentation maintains security while allowing the authentication process to proceed by combining the two parts.
Solution Approach 2:
The second partial code element is extracted from the security element and stored in a secure database instead. This extraction removes the complete code information from the physical security element, leaving only the first partial code element that is insufficient for forgery on its own.
3Reliability
If the code element is made more complex to prevent forgery, then the protection against forgery is improved, but the ease of machine capture and verification is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The complex security mechanism is segmented into two simple components: a first partial code element that can be easily captured by readers and a second partial code element stored in the database. This segmentation maintains ease of machine capture while achieving strong forgery protection through the combination of both parts.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for authenticating an object, particularly a security element for protecting value documents, ID documents and products, as well as a security element, a security document, a reader, an individualization device and a server for such a method. The method involves the steps: dividing a first code element into at least one first partial code element and one second partial code element, storing the second partial code element, arranging the first partial code element and/or a second code element on and/or in the object, jointly machine-capturing the first partial code element and the second code element by means of a reader, extracting the first partial code element and the second code element from the data captured by the reader, accessing the stored second partial code element using the second code element as a key, checking whether the code element resulting from merging the extracted first partial code element and the stored second partial code element corresponds to the first code element.