Tilt-Dependent Security Motif via Segmented Micromirrors

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing security features for valuable documents, such as banknotes, struggle to provide a more recognizable and forgery-proof design, as the number of micromirrors available to present motifs is limited, affecting brightness and visibility.

Innovation Solution

A flat security feature that changes its appearance when tilted, featuring microelements that present a main motif and an additional motif, where the additional motif moves towards the main motif, reducing the visible area of the main motif, creating a motif-centered movement effect, allowing for a high brightness and easy recognition.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If micromirrors are arranged to present motifs at specific viewing angles, then motif visibility and security are improved, but the number of available micromirrors is limited, affecting brightness

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovesecurityVSAvoidbrightness
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSIllumination intensity

Solution Approach 1:

The security feature is divided into multiple sections, each containing micromirrors that present different parts of motifs. This segmentation allows the use of fewer micromirrors per section while maintaining overall motif visibility and brightness across the entire security feature.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a tilt angle dimension to motif presentation. By arranging micromirrors to present motifs at specific tilt angles rather than fixed positions, the same micromirrors can contribute to multiple motif sections, effectively increasing their utility and maintaining brightness with fewer elements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Ease of operation

If micromirrors are arranged for specific viewing angles, then motif visibility is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemotif visibilityVSAvoidmicromirror arrangement complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The security feature is divided into multiple sections with each section containing micromirrors arranged for specific tilt angles. This segmentation simplifies the overall design by breaking down the complex arrangement into manageable sections, each handling a specific portion of the motif presentation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Micromirrors are designed to serve multiple functions by presenting different parts of motifs at different tilt angles. The same micromirror structure contributes to multiple motif sections, reducing the need for separate micromirror arrangements for each motif and thereby simplifying the overall device complexity.

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

The security feature ensures the main motif disappears in an easily recognizable manner, enhancing visibility and brightness, while providing a variety of design options for a comprehensible and easily recognizable security element.

Implementation Method 1

microelements (in particular micromirrors) which are nested within one another in a first and second pattern

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight reflection: Reflection

Data Source

PatentEP4185470B1Security feature having tilt-dependent motif depiction
Publication Date: 2024.06.12 GIESECKE & DEVRIENT CURRENCY TECHNOLOGY GMBH
  • EP4185470B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4185470B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4A
  • EP4185470B1 patent drawingFigure 4B~4C

AI summary

The invention relates to a planar security feature (3) which changes appearance when it is tilted over a tilt angle range (11). The security feature comprises microelements (15,16) which present a main motif (20) and an additional motif (22).