Compact Sensor Card for Magnetic Document Verification

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing security document verification systems are complex, expensive, and not suitable for decentralized or cost-effective use, particularly in verifying magnetic features which require technical aids for authentication.

Innovation Solution

A compact sensor card with integrated magnetic sensors and an excitation unit, capable of interacting with a mobile phone for verification of security documents, utilizing a short-range communication link to trigger magnetic checks and output results, and optionally incorporating optical detection for enhanced versatility.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If a compact sensor card with integrated magnetic sensors and excitation unit is used, then device complexity is reduced and portability is improved, but measurement precision and reliability of magnetic feature verification may deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveverification system complexityVSAvoidmagnetic feature detection precision
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent embeds multiple functional components (magnetic sensors, excitation unit, evaluation device, energy source) within the compact sensor card structure. The magnetic sensors are integrated into the card body, and the excitation unit is positioned to generate magnetic flux through the card, creating a nested configuration that achieves both compactness and functional capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent combines multiple verification functions (magnetic sensing, excitation, evaluation, energy storage) into a single integrated sensor card device. This merging of previously separate components into one unified device reduces overall system complexity while maintaining verification capabilities through the synergistic interaction of integrated components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Reliability

If multiple magnetic sensors are integrated into the sensor card, then measurement precision and verification reliability are improved, but device complexity and manufacturing difficulty increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedocument verification reliabilityVSAvoidsensor card manufacturing ease
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the verification function into multiple magnetic sensors arranged in specific patterns (e.g., conductor loops at different positions and orientations) within the card. This segmentation allows the system to detect magnetic features from multiple perspectives, improving reliability while enabling modular manufacturing approaches where sensor arrays can be produced using standard PCB or flexible circuit techniques.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Adaptability or versatility

If the sensor card includes both magnetic and optical detection capabilities, then versatility and adaptability are improved, but device complexity and energy requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveverification capability versatilityVSAvoidsensor card energy consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The sensor card is designed with dual functionality: magnetic sensing capabilities through integrated magnetic sensors and excitation unit, plus optical detection capabilities through photosensitive sensors. This multi-functional design allows a single device to verify different types of security features (magnetic and optical) on various document types, achieving versatility while managing energy through selective activation of detection modes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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

Enables efficient, cost-effective verification of security documents, particularly magnetic features, in a small, portable format, allowing for on-site authentication of documents like banknotes, while also supporting optical feature analysis.

Implementation Method 1

activating the at least one magnetic excitation unit (36) in response to a control command received from the interface (11-1, 11-2), so that a magnetic flux is changed adjacent to the at least one surface (82) of the card body (61)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic induction: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 2

reading out at least one of the several magnetic sensors (31, 32) and evaluating the measurement result obtained in this way

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMagnetic field detection: Magnetic Field

Implementation Method 3

at least one two-dimensional, two-dimensional photosensitive sensor (62) resolving pixels is arranged inside the card body (61)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPhotoelectric effect: Photoelectric Effect

Data Source

PatentEP2715683B1Sensor card and a verification method for magnetically and optically examining documents
Publication Date: 2018.02.07 BUNDESDRUCKEREI GMBH
  • EP2715683B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2715683B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP2715683B1 patent drawingFigure 5~7

AI summary

A sensor card and a verification method for magnetically and optically examining documents. The invention relates to an examination system comprising a sensor card (3) and a mobile radio telephone, and also a sensor card (3) and an examination method. A sensor card (3) for examining a document is suggested, comprising a card body (61) which is produced from one or more synthetic materials and inside of which an energy source (16), at least one magnetic excitation unit, a plurality of magnetic sensors (32), an evaluation and control device (19), and at least one interface (11-1 to 11-3) for receiving control commands and/or issuing examination results, are integrated, said evaluation and control device (19) being designed: to activate the at least one magnetic excitation unit such that a magnetic flux is modified adjacently to the at least one surface (82) of the card body (62), upon a control command being received by the interface (11-1 to 11-3); to read out at least one of the plurality of magnetic sensors (32); to evaluate the measurement result in order to examine whether there are magnetic materials arranged in a measurement area adjacent to the one surface of the card body (62), where the magnetic flux is or was modified; and to issue the result of the examination by means of the at least one interface (11-1 to 11-3).