Security Element Using Printing Distortions for Copy Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current print protection technologies are either too expensive or require specific devices for creation and inspection, limiting their widespread use in protecting documents against counterfeiting, especially for prints produced by machines with lower resolution.
Innovation Solution
A security element is created by combining primary information with latent secondary information, where the secondary information is undetectable to the naked eye but can be analyzed statistically through printing distortions, using a combined code that incorporates left-out areas, allowing for authenticity verification with medium-resolution devices like smartphones or web cameras.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If high-precision printing machines (8000 dpi) are used to create secondary images hidden within primary images, then copy protection reliability is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the resolution parameter from high-precision (8000 dpi) to standard printing resolution (600 dpi), making the technology accessible to common printing machines while maintaining security through statistical analysis of printing distortions
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of creating invisible secondary images that disappear on copying, the patent embeds visible security elements that are transferred to copies, allowing authentication by comparing the security element in the original and copy documents
2Reliability
If expensive inks with optically variable pigments are used, then security element reliability is improved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces expensive optically variable pigments with ordinary printing inks, using the printing process itself to create the security feature through statistical analysis of natural printing variations rather than relying on costly special materials
Solution Approach 2:
The security element uses the inherent characteristics of the printing process and substrate to generate unique identification patterns, eliminating the need for additional expensive materials or post-processing steps
3Reliability
If specific intaglio printing machines are used to apply security elements, then security element reliability is improved, but ease of manufacture worsens due to limited access
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the security element compatible with standard printing machines (600 dpi) that are widely available, replacing the need for specialized intaglio printing machines and making the technology accessible to ordinary document producers
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the printing resolution requirement from specialized high-precision machines to standard printing resolution, enabling widespread adoption across common printing devices
4Reliability
If electronic watermarks are used for print protection, then copy protection is improved, but device complexity increases due to need for database access and communication equipment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the authentication function from complex electronic systems requiring database access and communication equipment, creating a standalone visual security element that can be authenticated by simple visual inspection or basic imaging
Solution Approach 2:
The security element is designed to be transferred to copies along with the document content, allowing authentication by examining the security element in the copy itself without needing to access external databases or communication systems
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a security element applied onto printing substrates (bank¬ notes, securities, product packagings, identity cards/labels or other similar documents) by printing, comprising a unique identifier as primary information visible to the naked eye and secondary information protecting against copying non-visible to the naked eye. The unique identifier is typically a point code. Said secondary information is represented by a structure with the largest dimension of 2 to 40 microns, and due to printing distortions arising when the security element is applied onto a printing substrate, said secondary information is non-reconstructable from the print of the security element and a statistically analyzable inherent feature is associated to it. The invention also relates to a printed matter with such an inventive security element and to a method to check authenticity of a printed matter with the inventive security element in visible light (380-750nm).