Security Document Fine Line Pattern Segmentation

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Current security documents lack effective integration of multiple, difficult-to-imitate security elements, limiting their anti-counterfeiting capabilities.

Innovation Solution

A security print pattern featuring a fine line pattern divided into two print extracts, printed using different processes - one using printing points and the other as smooth contours, with precise registration and overlapping sections to create a seamless color transition, enhancing recognition with technical aids while maintaining obscurity to the naked eye.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a fine line pattern is printed using a single printing process, then the manufacturing process is simple, but the security against counterfeiting is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesecurity against counterfeitingVSAvoidprinting process complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The fine line pattern is divided into multiple print extracts, each printed using different printing processes (e.g., offset printing, inkjet printing, intaglio printing). This segmentation allows integration of multiple security features while maintaining the appearance of a continuous fine line pattern, thereby enhancing anti-counterfeiting capabilities without requiring complete redesign of the entire printing system

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent combines outputs from multiple printing processes into a single composite fine line pattern. Each printing process contributes a portion of the pattern with its unique characteristics (dot structure, line continuity, texture), creating a composite security feature that is difficult to replicate with a single process

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Reliability

If print extracts are printed using different printing processes, then security is enhanced, but the registration precision between print extracts becomes more difficult to achieve

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesecurity against counterfeitingVSAvoidregistration precision
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

Registration marks and alignment features are incorporated into the print extracts during the design phase. These preliminary elements enable precise alignment when combining outputs from different printing processes, ensuring that the segmented pattern reconstructs accurately into the intended fine line design

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses registration marks and alignment structures as intermediary elements between different printing processes. These intermediaries facilitate the precise positioning and alignment of print extracts from different sources, ensuring accurate reconstruction of the fine line pattern

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If the fine line pattern is divided into multiple print extracts, then security is improved, but the visual continuity and smooth color transition become more difficult to achieve

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesecurity against counterfeitingVSAvoidvisual continuity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

Different regions of the fine line pattern are assigned different printing processes based on local requirements. Areas requiring smooth continuity are printed with processes capable of producing continuous lines, while other areas use processes that create characteristic dot or textured patterns, optimizing both visual quality and security

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentEP2250028B1Value and/or security document comprising a fine line pattern, and method for the production thereof
Publication Date: 2014.01.01 BUNDESDRUCKEREI GMBH
  • EP2250028B1 patent drawingFigure 1~5
  • EP2250028B1 patent drawingFigure 2a~2d
  • EP2250028B1 patent drawingFigure 6a~8

AI summary

The invention relates to a value and/or security document comprising a monolithic document body (26) that is composed of several substrate layers (21-25). A printed security pattern (3) is printed onto at least one of the substrate layers (21-25) as a security feature encompassing a fine line pattern (3). The invention further relates a method for producing such a value and/or security document. In said method, the printed security pattern is subdivided into at least two partial prints (9, 10) which complement each other such that one section of at least one fine line (4) of the fine line pattern is printed when each partial print (9, 10) is printed. The at least two partial prints (9, 10) are printed using two different printing processes, i.e. at least one of the at least two partial prints (9, 10) is printed by means of a printing process using printed dots, and at least one other of the at least two separate partial prints (9, 10) is printed by means of a printing process that prints the section/s of the at least one fine line (4) in the form of a smooth contour/smooth contours.