See-Through Security Element With Exposure-Masked Color Layers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing see-through security elements in security documents lack sufficient complexity and distinct visual differences in reflected and transmitted light, making them vulnerable to counterfeiting.
Innovation Solution
A see-through security element is produced by applying color layers that change solubility and/or color filter effects through exposure, using the first element as an exposure mask to structure the second element, ensuring precise registration of translucent color layers to create distinct colored features in transmitted and reflected light.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional opaque layers with recesses are used to create see-through security elements, then the production process is simple, but the visual distinction between reflected and transmitted light is insufficient and counterfeit security is weak
Solution Approach 1:
The security element is divided into multiple functional layers: a first element with reflective second partial regions and transparent first partial regions, and a second element with color layers. This segmentation allows each layer to contribute specific optical properties, creating distinct visual effects in reflected and transmitted light while maintaining manageable production complexity
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the security element are assigned different optical properties. The reflective second partial regions provide one optical characteristic while the transparent first partial regions provide another. The color layers are selectively applied to create localized colored features that appear differently under various lighting conditions, enhancing counterfeit security through spatially varying properties
2Manufacturing precision
If multiple color layers are applied and exposed through the first element as a mask, then distinct colored features with high registration precision are achieved, but the production process becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The first element serves a dual function: it is both a structural component with reflective and transparent regions, and an exposure mask for structuring the color layers of the second element. This self-service approach ensures precise registration between the first and second elements without requiring separate masking steps, thereby achieving high manufacturing precision while controlling production complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The first element is created and characterized before being used as an exposure mask for the second element. This preliminary action allows the optical properties and geometry of the first element to be established first, ensuring that subsequent color layer application and exposure will achieve the desired registration precision and optical effects
3Ease of manufacture
If the first element is used as an exposure mask for the second element, then colored features visible in transmitted light are created, but the process requires precise registration control
Solution Approach 1:
The first element acts as an intermediary between the light source and the color layers of the second element. By serving as both a structural component and an exposure mask, it mediates the optical interaction to create colored features visible in transmitted light while its physical presence provides natural registration references that simplify precision control
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 enhances counterfeit security by providing colored features that are difficult to imitate, with high contrast and precise registration, making it easier to detect forgery attempts.
Implementation Method 1
one or more color layers are applied to the first element, the solubility and/or color filter effect of which can be changed by means of exposure, and the one or more color layers are exposed through the first element using the first element as an exposure mask
Data Source
Figure 1a~1b
Figure 1c
Figure 1d
AI summary
The invention relates to a see-through security element (2), a security document (1), and a method for producing a see-through security element (2). The see-through security element has a first element with one or more transparent first sub-regions and at least one reflective second sub-region. The see-through security element has a second element with one or more first sub-regions, each of which forms a color filter during transmission, said color filter being calibrated for a respective assigned color, and at least one second sub-region, which is designed to be colorless, in particular colorlessly transparent, or which forms a color filter during transmission and/or reflection, said color filter being calibrated for a color that is not assigned to any of the one or more first sub-regions of the second element. The first sub-regions of the first element and the first sub-regions of the second element at least partly overlap.