Optically Variable Security Element With Facet-Driven Color Verification
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing optically variable security elements do not provide sufficient protection against forgery and are not easily verifiable, and their production is not economical.
Innovation Solution
An optically variable security element with differently oriented first and second facets, each having distinct sub-wavelength structures, that change color impressions when tilted about different axes, providing a non-continuous and easily recognizable authenticity verification.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional optically variable security elements are used, then production is relatively economical, but forgery protection is insufficient and verification is not easily performed
Solution Approach 1:
The security element is divided into multiple facets with different orientations, where each facet contains sub-wavelength structures of specific types. This segmentation allows different facets to reflect different colors at different viewing angles, significantly enhancing forgery protection while maintaining verifiable complexity through the structured arrangement of facets and sub-wavelength structures.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions (facets) of the security element are assigned different local qualities through varying sub-wavelength structure types and facet orientations. This creates spatially varying optical properties that change with viewing angle, providing enhanced security features that are both complex to forge and verifiable through simple visual inspection.
2Ease of operation
If multiple differently oriented facets with distinct sub-wavelength structures are used, then color change verification is enhanced, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The security element utilizes dynamic optical effects where the appearance changes with viewing angle. Different facets are oriented to reflect different colors when viewed from different angles, creating a dynamic verification process that is easy to perform visually but complex to replicate, thereby enhancing verification ease without proportionally increasing manufacturing difficulty.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention employs color changes as the primary verification mechanism. By arranging facets with different orientations and sub-wavelength structures, the element displays different colors depending on the viewing angle. This color change effect is easily observable for verification purposes while the precise control of facet orientations and sub-wavelength structure distributions maintains manufacturing feasibility.
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 forgery protection and facilitates easy authenticity verification through distinct color changes and movements visible to the observer, while being economically viable to produce.
Implementation Method 1
The first sub-wavelength structures are different from the second sub-wavelength structures. In the motif region, at least one motif is visible to an observer in a depiction and with a color impression
Implementation Method 2
A kinematic effect is generated when the security element is tilted about the x-axis, and a chromatic effect is generated when the security element is tilted about the y-axis
Data Source
AI summary
An optically variable security element has a motif region including a plurality of differently oriented first facets and a plurality of differently oriented second facets arranged in the motif region. Each of the first and second facets defines a normal vector having a first orientation component and a second orientation component. The color impression of the at least one motif is determined by the first orientation components. The representation of the at least one motif is defined by the second orientation components. The first orientation components of the first facets and the second facets are different from one another.