Translucent Security Element in Identification Documents

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing identification documents lack effective mechanisms to visually detect forgery attempts, as information is often hidden deep within layers making it difficult to identify tampering without breaking the document, and current security features are not sufficiently visible to detect corruption.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating a translucent security element with a varying core thickness, allowing the element to be invisible under normal lighting but visible in backlight, combined with a non-transparent element, such as a photo or marking, embedded deeply within the document's layers, making it difficult to manipulate and detectable upon forgery.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If information is hidden deep inside the document on inner layers, then security against forgery is improved, but detectability of forgery attempts deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesecurity against forgeryVSAvoiddetectability of forgery
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDifficulty of detecting and measuring

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies a translucent security element that changes its visibility based on lighting conditions. Under normal lighting, the element remains invisible, but under backlight it becomes visible, allowing forgery detection without compromising the security of hidden information

Inventive Principle:
Principle #32Color changes

Solution Approach 2:

The security element's visibility is made dynamic by varying the core thickness to create a translucent region. This allows the element to be invisible from the front under normal lighting (maintaining security) while becoming visible under backlight (enabling detection)

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Difficulty of detecting and measuring

If a translucent security element is made visible under normal lighting, then detectability of forgery is improved, but security against unauthorized viewing deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedetectability of forgeryVSAvoidsecurity against unauthorized viewing
Core Design Contradiction:
Difficulty of detecting and measuringVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The translucent security element exploits optical property changes based on lighting direction. It remains invisible under normal front lighting (protecting security) but becomes visible under backlight (enabling forgery detection)

Inventive Principle:
Principle #32Color changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a dimensional aspect to visibility by creating a translucent region through variable core thickness. This allows the security element to exist in a state that is conditionally visible only from specific viewing angles and lighting conditions

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

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

Enhances forgery detection by providing visible marks when viewed in backlight, ensuring the document's integrity and security through a layered construction that is difficult to disassemble or alter, while maintaining readability and security.

Implementation Method 1

a translucent security element in a region where the thickness of the non-transparent core material is smaller as compared to the thickness of the non-transparent core material in other parts of said core... visible in backlight

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight transmission: Light

Data Source

PatentEP2499002B1Identification document and a method of producing
Publication Date: 2018.08.22 THALES DIS FRANCE SA
  • EP2499002B1 patent drawingFigure 1~3
  • EP2499002B1 patent drawingFigure 4~6

AI summary

The invention relates to an identification document (21) comprising a non- transparent core (6), and one or more layers of a transparent material (14) arranged on at least a back (13) or a front surface (12) of said core. In order to achieve an identification document where forgery attempts are visibly detectable, the identification document (21) has a translucent security element in a region (7) where the thickness of the non-transparent core (6) material is smaller as compared to the thickness of the non-transparent core material in other parts of said core (6).