Security Element with Angle-Dependent Micromirror Structures
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing safety elements for securities and documents struggle to provide effective counterfeiting protection by making the motif difficult to distinguish from the background under certain observation angles.
Innovation Solution
The safety element features a design where the first area with motif structures and the second area with background structures have relief structures that create a non-distinguishable contrast under a second observation angle, making the motif less visible compared to the background.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the background area is designed without a reflective layer or with random micromirror structures to create contrast, then the motif is clearly visible from all viewing angles, but the security element becomes easier to counterfeit
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by making the visibility characteristics of the background area angle-dependent. The micromirror structures in the background are oriented at specific angles (e.g., 45 degrees) relative to the motif structures, causing the background to appear bright at certain viewing angles while the motif remains dark, and vice versa at other angles. This dynamic optical effect based on viewing angle creates counterfeit protection while maintaining motif visibility when needed.
2Reliability
If relief structures are used to create holographic effects or 3D simulation, then counterfeit protection is enhanced, but the motif may become indistinguishable from the background at certain viewing angles
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the local quality principle by assigning different optical properties to different local areas. The motif structures and background structures both have micromirror relief structures, but they are oriented at different angles relative to the viewing direction. This local differentiation in mirror orientation ensures that at any given viewing angle, one area appears bright while the other appears dark, maintaining clear distinction between motif and background despite both having relief structures.
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
This design enhances counterfeiting protection by increasing the complexity of the safety element, making it harder to falsify, and ensuring the motif stands out only under specific viewing conditions.
Implementation Method 1
Both the background and the subject area feature a relief structure. The relief structure of the background area is designed in such a way that, under a certain viewing angle, or range of viewing angles—for example, a very shallow viewing angle—the perceived brightness of the subject area and the background area appears adjusted
Data Source
Figure 1~4
AI summary
The invention relates to a security element (1) for securities, security papers or security items, with at least one visible side (2), comprising a first area (3) with first structures (4), wherein the first structures (4) represent a motif, and a second area (5) with second structures (6), wherein the second area (5) forms a background for the motif and wherein, under a first viewing angle, the motif stands out from the background.It is provided that, under a second viewing angle different from the first viewing angle, the brightness or color impression of the second area (5) differs from the brightness or color impression of the first area (3) for an observer, or differs only slightly, so that the motif under the second viewing angle is less clearly visible to an observer with the naked eye compared to the background than under the first viewing angle, or is not visible at all.