Security Element with Dynamic Visual Motion via Layered Materials
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current security elements for protecting documents against counterfeiting and illegal reproduction lack dynamic visual motion features that are difficult to replicate and detect, while also being easily recognizable and hard to copy.
Innovation Solution
A security element comprising at least three layers, each interacting with specific electromagnetic radiation, creating a visual motion effect when sequentially illuminated, using left-handed and right-handed circularly polarizing cholesteric liquid crystal materials and luminescent materials applied through coating or printing processes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If static security features are used to protect security documents, then the security level is improved, but the features are easy to copy and lack dynamic visual motion
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by transitioning from static security features to dynamic security features that exhibit optical motion effects. The security element incorporates materials that respond to electromagnetic radiation by changing their optical properties, creating dynamic visual effects such as apparent movement, color changes, or shape transformations that are difficult to replicate with static copying methods.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes parameter changes by employing materials whose optical properties change in response to electromagnetic radiation. The security element contains materials that alter their reflectivity, absorption, or emission characteristics when exposed to specific wavelengths, creating dynamic visual effects that vary with illumination conditions and viewing angles, thereby enhancing security against counterfeiting.
2Ease of operation
If dynamic security features with optical illusion of movement are developed, then the visual recognition is improved, but the features can still be reproduced by advanced copying methods
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies composite materials by combining multiple materials with different electromagnetic radiation interaction properties within a single security element. The element incorporates materials that selectively interact with different wavelengths (e.g., UV, visible, infrared), creating a multi-layered optical response that is difficult to replicate. This composite structure enables both visual recognition through dynamic effects and enhanced anti-copy protection through complex material interactions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes periodic action by implementing security features that exhibit periodic or sequential optical responses to electromagnetic radiation. The materials are designed to respond in a time-dependent manner, creating dynamic visual effects that change over time or with sequential illumination, making them difficult to capture with static copying methods and enhancing both visual recognition and anti-counterfeiting capabilities.
3Reliability
If security elements with real dynamic motion are created, then the anti-copy protection is improved, but the device complexity and manufacturing difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies mechanics substitution by replacing complex mechanical systems with optically active materials that inherently exhibit dynamic behavior when exposed to electromagnetic radiation. Instead of using moving parts or mechanical mechanisms to create dynamic effects, the invention uses materials whose optical properties change in response to radiation, thereby achieving real dynamic motion effects with simpler device architecture and reduced manufacturing complexity.
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
The security element provides a high-security level by creating a dynamic visual motion that cannot be captured by photocopying, making it difficult to counterfeit and easy to recognize, while being machine-readable for authentication.
Implementation Method 1
a first layer comprises a first material which is capable of interacting with a first electromagnetic radiation but does not interact with a second and third electromagnetic radiation
Implementation Method 2
a second layer comprises a second material which is capable of interacting with said second electromagnetic radiation but does not interact with a first and third electromagnetic radiation
Implementation Method 3
a third layer comprising a third material which is capable of interacting with a third electromagnetic radiation but does not interact with a first and second electromagnetic radiation
Implementation Method 4
said pattern provides a visual motion effect when exposed to a sequential illumination with a light source capable of separately emitting at least said first, second and third electromagnetic radiation
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention is related to a security element comprising a pattern of at least three layers, wherein a first layer comprises a first material which is capable of interacting with a first electromagnetic radiation but does not interact with a second and third electromagnetic radiation, a second layer comprises a second material which is capable of interacting with said second electromagnetic radiation but does not interact with a first and third electromagnetic radiation, and a third layer comprising a third material which is capable of interacting with a third electromagnetic radiation but does not interact with a first and second electromagnetic radiation, wherein said pattern provides a visual motion effect when exposed to a sequential illumination with a light source capable of separately emitting at least said first, second and third electromagnetic radiation. The present invention is furthermore related to the security element, the use of the security element for the protection of a security document against fraud or illegal reproduction, to a method for manufacturing the security element or security document, and to a method for creating a visual motion effect by sequential illumination of the security element.