Security Element with Luminescent Feature and Data Carrier
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current security elements for protecting valuable objects and documents lack an attractive and highly secure anti-forgery feature that maintains a uniform visual appearance in the visible spectrum while revealing distinct luminescent patterns under UV or IR excitation.
Innovation Solution
A security element with a feature area containing three motif areas, where two print areas with different luminescent substances appear the same in the visible spectrum but exhibit distinct luminescence when excited with UV or IR light, and a blocking ink area that blocks excitation light, creating a uniform visible appearance and revealing luminescent details only under UV or IR illumination.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple luminescent substances with different luminescent colors are applied in overlapping print areas, then the security against forgery is enhanced and distinct luminescent patterns are revealed under UV/IR light, but the visible appearance uniformity is compromised due to color mixing effects
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different luminescent substances with identical visible colors to different motif areas, creating local variations in luminescent properties while maintaining uniform visible appearance. Each motif area has a specific luminescent substance assigned to it, allowing distinct UV/IR responses without compromising visual uniformity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes substances that appear identical in the visible spectrum but exhibit different luminescent colors under UV or IR excitation. This allows the security element to maintain a uniform visible appearance while revealing distinct luminescent patterns for authentication purposes
2Manufacturing precision
If a blocking ink is applied to prevent UV/IR excitation in certain areas, then the control over luminescent pattern visibility is improved, but the complexity of the printing process increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the feature area into multiple motif areas, each with controlled luminescent properties. The blocking ink is applied in specific overlapping areas to prevent UV/IR excitation in designated regions, creating a segmented control structure that manages complexity through systematic division
Solution Approach 2:
The blocking ink serves as an intermediary layer that selectively prevents UV or IR excitation light from reaching underlying luminescent substances in specific areas. This mediator allows precise control over which luminescent patterns are visible under different lighting conditions
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 a high-security feature that maintains a uniform visual appearance in the visible spectrum while offering distinct luminescent patterns under UV or IR light, enhancing recognition and security by preventing forgery and ensuring the authenticity of documents.
Implementation Method 1
a first motif area luminesces in a first luminescent color, a second motif area in a second, different luminescent color luminesces
Implementation Method 2
when the feature area is excited with UV and/or IR excitation light
Implementation Method 3
a blocking ink is applied in the feature area in a coverage area overlapping the first and/or second print area, which is not visible in the visible spectral range and blocks the UV and/or IR excitation light
Data Source
Figure 1(a)~2(c)
Figure 3~5
Figure 6(a)~7
AI summary
The invention relates to a security element (30) for securing valuables, comprising a feature area (38) with a luminescent feature. The feature area (38) has at least three motif areas (52, 54, 56) which, when viewed from above, exhibit the same visible color in the visible spectral range. When the feature area (38) is excited with UV and/or IR excitation light, a first motif area (52) luminesces in a first luminescent color, a second motif area (54) luminesces in a second, different luminescent color, and a third motif area (56) does not exhibit any luminescence emission. The feature area (38) includes a first printed area (32) with the aforementioned visible color and with at least one luminescent material for the first luminescent color, and a second printed area (34) with the aforementioned visible color and at least one luminescent material for the second luminescent color.Furthermore, in the feature area (38) in an overlapping area (36) that overlaps the first and/or second printing area, a blocker ink (46) is applied which is not visible in the visible spectral range and blocks the UV and/or IR excitation light, wherein the part of the first printing area not covered by the blocker ink (46) comprises the first motif area (52) with the first luminescent color, the part of the second printing area not covered by the blocker ink (46) comprises the second motif area (54) with the second luminescent color, and the overlapping area (36) comprises the third motif area (56) without luminescence emission.