Security Element with Dual Non-Diffractive Patterns
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing security elements, particularly latent images, are difficult to detect and verify due to being either too well-hidden or not overt enough, making it challenging to authenticate documents without rendering them insecure, and they can be difficult to produce with consistent durability and visibility.
Innovation Solution
A security element comprising two printed portions: a first non-diffractive latent pattern visible at non-perpendicular angles and a second non-diffractive pattern visible both perpendicularly and at other angles, where the second pattern helps locate the latent pattern, ensuring authentication without obviousness, achieved through intaglio printing with precise registration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a latent image is provided by printing a pattern onto a substrate and then embossing the pattern, then the latent image becomes visible at certain viewing angles, but the embossing is not particularly durable and the images are hard to visualise
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical embossing process with a printing process that creates raised line structures directly on the substrate. This substitution maintains the latent image effect while improving durability, as the printed raised structures are more resistant to wear and damage compared to mechanically embossed features.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent modifies the physical parameters of the security element by creating raised line structures with specific height ranges (0.05mm to 0.5mm) and controlled ink deposition. These parameter changes enable the latent image to be both durable and visible, resolving the contradiction between durability and visualizability.
2Reliability
If latent images are made well hidden to prevent counterfeiting, then authentication security is improved, but it becomes difficult for inspectors to locate and detect the latent image presence
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating distinct regions with different line orientations - a background region with lines in a first direction and an image region with lines in a second orthogonal direction. This local differentiation allows the latent image to remain hidden in normal viewing while enabling easy detection when the document is tilted, as the orthogonal lines become visible against the background.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces dynamic detection capability where the visibility of the latent image changes with viewing angle. The raised line structures are designed so that at perpendicular viewing angles the latent image remains hidden, but at tilted angles the orthogonal line patterns become visible, providing a dynamic authentication mechanism that is both secure and detectable.
3Difficulty of detecting and measuring
If a distinct gap is provided alongside the latent pattern to define the boundary, then the latent image location is made obvious, but this renders the security element insecure as the latent image existence becomes overt
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the boundary definition function with the latent image pattern itself by using the orthogonal line orientations to define regions. Instead of using separate gaps or borders, the change in line direction (from first direction in background to second orthogonal direction in image region) serves as both the pattern and the boundary, eliminating the need for distinct gaps that would reveal the latent image location.
4Difficulty of detecting and measuring
If latent images are made with strong tone to improve visibility, then detection is easier, but the complexity of the printing process increases to achieve consistency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent controls the tone and visibility of the latent image by precisely managing printing parameters such as ink density, line spacing, and raised structure height. By optimizing these parameters within specific ranges, the patent achieves consistent latent image visibility without requiring complex multi-step printing processes, maintaining manufacturing simplicity while ensuring detectability.
Data Source
Figure 1(A)~2(B)
Figure 3(A)~3(B)
Figure 4~5
AI summary
A security element formed by at least two printed portions (1,2). The first portion (1) is a printed, raised line structure defining a background region (6) in which the lines extend substantially parallel in a firs direction, and an image region (5) defining a boundary (8) with the background region. The printed lines in the image region (5) extend substantially parallel in second direction orthogonal to the first direction to define a first, non-diffractiv latent pattern intended to be non-visible to the naked eye when viewe perpendicularly but intended to be visible when viewed at other viewing angles. In locations where the boundary (8) extends at an acute angle to the line defining that part of the boundary, the image and background regions abut. The second portion (2) defines a second, non-diffractive pattern (3) intended to be visible when viewed perpendicularly and at said other viewin angles, and wherein the second, non-diffractive pattern is located relative to th first, non-diffractive latent pattern to enable the security element to be verified.