Tamper-Indicating Optical Security Device with Peel-to-Destroy Mechanism

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing tamper-indicating optical security devices lack a 'peel to destroy' feature, making them vulnerable to unauthorized removal and potential reuse in counterfeiting or forgery, as they do not become inoperable when detached from their base material.

Innovation Solution

A tamper-indicating security device is designed with stress-inducing components and bond weakening layers to ensure intralayer or interlayer failure when attempted to be separated from a base material, rendering the device fully or partially inoperable, incorporating focusing elements, image elements, and optical spacers with optional additional layers for enhanced security.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the security device is made removable from the base material, then ease of operation is improved, but reliability deteriorates because the device can be detached and potentially reused in counterfeiting

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveremovabilityVSAvoidanti-counterfeiting security
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The device is designed with pre-integrated stress-inducing components and bond weakening layers that are built into the structure before attachment. These elements are positioned to ensure that when removal is attempted, the device will fail in a controlled manner, preventing reuse and maintaining security while allowing legitimate removal.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If bond weakening layers are introduced to enable controlled failure, then reliability is improved through tamper indication, but device complexity increases due to additional layers

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetamper indication capabilityVSAvoidnumber of layers
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The bond weakening layers and stress-inducing components are integrated into the existing optical device structure, combining multiple functions (optical performance, tamper indication, and controlled failure) within the same layered architecture. This merging approach adds tamper indication capability while minimizing the increase in overall device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Reliability

If stress-inducing components are integrated into the device structure, then reliability is improved through intralayer failure mechanism, but manufacturing precision requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontrolled failure mechanismVSAvoidcomponent integration accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

Stress-inducing components are strategically positioned at specific locations within the device structure where they can effectively induce controlled failure. By concentrating these components in critical areas rather than distributing them uniformly, the design achieves reliable tamper indication while reducing the overall manufacturing precision requirements across the entire device.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

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 device effectively prevents unauthorized removal by becoming inoperable upon detachment, ensuring it cannot be reattached to counterfeit objects without detection, enhancing security features in documents and products.

Implementation Method 1

an optical spacer or spacer layer positioned between the focusing element layer(s) and the image element layer(s)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectOptical spacing:

Implementation Method 2

focusing elements (e.g., lenses)... with the focusing elements forming one or more synthetic images of at least a portion of the image elements

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectRefraction: Refraction

Data Source

PatentEP2464527B1A tamper indicating optical security device
Publication Date: 2020.04.01 VISUAL PHYSICS LLC
  • EP2464527B1 patent drawingFigure 1A~1B
  • EP2464527B1 patent drawingFigure 2A~2C
  • EP2464527B1 patent drawingFigure 3A~3C

AI summary

A tamper indicating optical security device that operates to produce one or more synthetic images is provided. Any attempt to detach (e.g., forcibly remove) this device from an underlying base material will cause one or more layers of the security device to separate or delaminate, rending the device partially or totally inoperable. The inventive device is contemplated for use with, among other things, currency or banknotes, secure documents such as bonds, checks, travelers checks, identification cards, lottery tickets, passports, postage stamps, and stock certificates, as well as non-secure documents such as stationery items and labels. The inventive device is also contemplated for use with consumer goods as well as bags or packaging used with consumer goods.