Security Element With Interfering Layer For Directional Authentication

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing security documents lack a satisfactory balance between security sophistication and manufacturing simplicity, and they primarily focus on verifying document authenticity without ensuring the authenticity of associated sensitive data, with limited durability and versatility.

Innovation Solution

A document with a security element comprising superimposed layers where at least one layer interferes with electromagnetic waves, allowing authentication data to be detected only from a single observation direction, ensuring congruity with reference data and enhancing structural integrity, durability, and ease of verification.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If multiple superimposed layers with authentication data components are used to enhance security, then security sophistication is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesecurity sophisticationVSAvoidstructure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The authentication data is segmented into multiple components distributed across different superimposed layers. Each layer contains a portion of the authentication data, and only when all layers are correctly aligned and superimposed does the complete authentication data become visible. This segmentation approach enhances security by preventing unauthorized access to the full authentication data while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Reliability

If an interfering layer is added to control electromagnetic wave transmission for single-direction observation, then security is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesecurity sophisticationVSAvoidmanufacturing simplicity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

An interfering layer is introduced as an intermediary element between the authentication data components on different layers. This interfering layer selectively transmits or blocks electromagnetic waves (light) depending on the observation direction, allowing authentication data to be visible only when viewed from the correct direction. The interfering layer acts as a mediator that controls the interaction between light and the authentication data components, enhancing security while using well-established optical materials and techniques.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If authentication data is made detectable only from a single observation direction, then security against counterfeiting is improved, but ease of verification may be affected

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecounterfeiting preventionVSAvoidverification ease
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The interfering layer exhibits direction-dependent optical properties, causing the authentication data to appear or disappear based on the observation direction. When viewed from the correct direction, the authentication data components align and become visible; when viewed from other directions, the interfering layer prevents visualization. This optical effect provides a simple visual verification method that enhances counterfeiting prevention while maintaining ease of operation through straightforward visual inspection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #32Color 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

The solution provides high security features by ensuring the authenticity of both the document and associated sensitive information, with easy manufacturing and operation, and high durability, making it difficult to alter or sabotage.

Implementation Method 1

at least one layer, which will be recalled as inferring layer, which indeed interfere with an electromagnetic wave that passes therethrough

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectInterference: Interference

Data Source

PatentEP3528216B1Document having a security element and related method
Publication Date: 2020.08.05 INST POLIGRAFICO E ZECCA DELLO STATO
  • EP3528216B1 patent drawingFigure 1A
  • EP3528216B1 patent drawingFigure 1B
  • EP3528216B1 patent drawingFigure 2~2B

AI summary

Identification document (1) provided with a security element (101), the latter comprising an authentication data (OK) decomposed into two or more components (O, K) applicated on two or more respective layers (10, 20) superimposed in a position of mutual register. Such layers comprise at least one interfering layer (11, 41, 42) to an electromagnetic wave (R) which incises on the security element (101), said interfering layer being configured in such a way that the authentication data (OK) is detectable as format by all its components exclusively from an only observation direction relating to one of the two opposite faces (A, B) of the security element (101).