Security Element Verification via Polarization Filtering
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for verifying security elements in valuable or security documents, particularly those using optically variable effect pigments, face challenges such as difficulty in verifying color shift effects and potential misidentification due to imitation by other effect pigments, and excitation of electroluminescent pigments can be difficult or impossible in certain scenarios.
Innovation Solution
A method and device that illuminate a security element with predetermined illumination parameters to determine the intensity of polarized light reflected at different angles, allowing for the inference of the presence and type of optically variable effect pigments, including field displacement elements, without requiring electroluminescent radiation excitation, using polarization filtering and intensity analysis.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If verification is performed based on color shift effect produced by optically variable effect pigments, then verification can be performed, but verification becomes difficult or impossible in certain areas of application and can be imitated by other effect pigments
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the verification parameter from color shift effect to polarization characteristics. By measuring the polarization state of light reflected from or transmitted through the security element at different angles, the system identifies effect pigments based on their distinctive polarization signatures rather than color changes, thereby improving reliability and avoiding imitation by other effect pigments
Solution Approach 2:
The patent substitutes the optical color-shift verification mechanism with a polarization-based detection system. Instead of relying on color shift effects that can be imitated, the system uses polarization filtering and intensity measurement to detect the unique polarization characteristics of optically variable effect pigments, making verification more reliable
2Reliability
If electroluminescent pigments are used for verification, then verification can be performed, but excitation becomes difficult or impossible in certain scenarios such as ATMs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the verification function from the electroluminescent excitation process. By measuring polarization characteristics of reflected or transmitted light, the system can verify security elements without requiring electrical excitation, thereby maintaining verification capability in scenarios where excitation is difficult or impossible
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces polarization characteristics as an intermediary measurement parameter. Instead of directly detecting electroluminescent radiation that requires excitation, the system measures the polarization state of light interacting with the security element, providing a verification pathway that works without electrical excitation
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 approach enables reliable verification of security elements by distinguishing the presence and type of optically variable substances, enhancing the reliability of authentication processes and preventing misidentification, without the need for electroluminescent excitation.
Implementation Method 1
determine an intensity of a first portion of light reflected by the security element, which is polarized with a specific polarization at different reflection angles
Implementation Method 2
determine an intensity of a first portion of light reflected by the security element
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~6
AI summary
Method and device for checking a security element (4) of a security document, wherein the security element (4) can contain at least one substance (5) with optically variable properties, comprising the following method steps:- illuminating the security element (4) with at least one predetermined illumination parameter, - filtering the light reflected from the security element into a first component (RLp) having a first polarization, - determining an intensity (I) of the first component (RLp) of reflected light which is reflected at a reflection angle (φR), for at least one reflection angle (φR), verification of a presence of a substance (5) having optically variable properties as a function of the intensity (I) of the first component (RLp).