Segmented Free-Form Optic Relief Structure for Anti-Counterfeiting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing safety elements for securing against counterfeiting, such as banknotes and ID cards, lack sufficient complexity and uniqueness to effectively deter falsification.
Innovation Solution
A safety element featuring a relief structure with free form optics, segmented into areas with defined optical properties, creating a color tilt effect that changes appearance with different viewing angles, thereby enhancing counterfeiting security.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a relief structure with free form optics is used to create complex optical patterns, then counterfeit security is increased, but manufacturing precision becomes more difficult to achieve
Solution Approach 1:
The relief structure is divided into multiple segments, each containing a portion of the master structure. This segmentation allows each segment to be replicated independently with standard embossing technology, avoiding the need to replicate the entire complex free form optic in one piece. The segments are then combined to form the complete relief structure, maintaining the original optical properties while enabling accurate reproduction.
2Manufacturing precision
If the relief structure is divided into segments, then replication accuracy improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The relief structure is divided into multiple segments, each containing a portion of the master structure. This segmentation allows each segment to be replicated independently with standard embossing technology, avoiding the need to replicate the entire complex free form optic in one piece. The segments are then combined to form the complete relief structure, maintaining the original optical properties while enabling accurate reproduction.
3Reliability
If free form optics are used to create viewing angle-dependent color effects, then counterfeit security is enhanced, but ease of manufacture decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The relief structure is divided into multiple segments, each containing a portion of the master structure. This segmentation allows each segment to be replicated independently with standard embossing technology, avoiding the need to replicate the entire complex free form optic in one piece. The segments are then combined to form the complete relief structure, maintaining the original optical properties while enabling accurate reproduction.
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 significantly increases counterfeiting security by creating a unique, characteristic, and easily recognizable optical appearance that is difficult to replicate, while also allowing for error-free replication of complex free form optics.
Implementation Method 1
the relief structure represents at least one motif in reflected light
Implementation Method 2
selected from the group of directed reflection, diffuse reflection, refraction, focusing, divergence, diffraction
Implementation Method 3
selected from the group of directed reflection, diffuse reflection, refraction, focusing, divergence, diffraction
Implementation Method 4
the at least one viewing angle-dependent impression makes the motif appear in a first color at least at a first viewing angle and in a second viewing angle different from the first viewing angle in a second color different from the first color
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5
AI summary
The invention relates to a safety element (1) with at least one viewing-angle-dependent impression, comprising a planar support substrate (2) and at least one relief structure (3), wherein the relief structure (3) represents at least one viewing-angle-dependent or viewing-angle-independent motif in reflected light and the relief structure (3) has structure-forming three-dimensional elements (4), characterized in that the relief structure (3) forms a free-form optic and is divided into segments (5) of defined optical properties, in particular ray-optical properties, in particular selected from the group consisting of specular reflection, diffuse reflection, refraction, focusing, divergence, and diffraction, wherein the at least one viewing-angle-dependent impression causes the motif to appear in a first color at at least one first viewing angle and in a second color at a second viewing angle, different from the first viewing angle.different from the first color, making the color appear.