Transparent ID Window With Hidden Personalized Information

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Solution Overview

Problem

Identification documents face increased risks of identity theft due to the theft and misuse of personalized information, which can be stolen from the original document or digital copies, necessitating improved security measures.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating a layer of color-changing material and a portion with personalized information, such that the portion with personalized information is positioned at least partly in the transparent window may include the case that the portion with personalized information and/or the layer of color changing material are positioned outside of the transparent window, but are arranged in relation to the transparent window such that they are visible through the transparent window.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If personalized information is provided on identification documents, then identity verification capability is improved, but risk of identity theft increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveidentity verification capabilityVSAvoidrisk of identity theft
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies color-changing material that changes color based on viewing angle or lighting conditions. This creates a dynamic visual effect where personalized information appears different under various conditions, making it extremely difficult for thieves to capture accurate images or copies, thus preventing identity theft while maintaining verification capability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #32Color changes

Solution Approach 2:

The identification document incorporates dynamic elements through color-changing material that responds to environmental conditions. The personalized information dynamically changes appearance based on viewing angle, temperature, or light exposure, creating a living security feature that adapts to prevent copying while remaining visible for verification

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Ease of operation

If digital copies of identification documents are stored, then convenience of use is improved, but security against hacking and data theft deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconvenience of useVSAvoidsecurity against hacking
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The color-changing material creates images that are impossible to accurately capture in digital form. When photographed or scanned, the dynamic color shifts and visual transformations result in blurry, indistinct, or completely different images, making digital copies useless for hacking or fraud while still providing convenient verification when viewed in person

Inventive Principle:
Principle #32Color changes

3Reliability

If manual methods are used to hide personalized information, then security against theft is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesecurity against theftVSAvoidease of use
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The identification document performs the security function automatically through the inherent properties of the color-changing material. No manual action is required from the user to activate or maintain security - the material automatically changes color based on environmental conditions, providing both security and ease of use simultaneously

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

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 provides a strong anti-copying feature that prevents identity theft by selectively hiding personalized information based on the background color, offering a dynamic visual effect and enhanced security.

Implementation Method 1

a layer of color changing material (20) positioned at least partly in the transparent window (5) and configured to change its color from a first color to a second color depending on the color of the background against which it is viewed

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectColor changing material effect: Thermochromism

Data Source

PatentEP4667232A1Identification document with hidden personalized information
Publication Date: 2025.12.24 TOPPAN SECURITY SAS
  • EP4667232A1 patent drawingFigure 1~3
  • EP4667232A1 patent drawingFigure 4~6
  • EP4667232A1 patent drawingFigure 7~9

AI summary

An identification document (90, 100) has a substrate (1) having a front side (FS) and a back side (BS) opposite to the front side (FS) in a thickness direction (d) of the substrate (1), a transparent window (5) extending through the substrate (1) in the thickness direction (d), a layer of color changing material (20) being positioned at least partly in the transparent window (5) and configured to change its color from a first color (26) to a second color (27) depending on the color of the background (36, 37) against which it is viewed, the second color (27) being different to the first color (26) and a portion with personalized information (10) such as a portrait or a QR-code, the portion with personalized information (10) being positioned at least partly in the transparent window (5) and having a third color (11), the third color being identical to the second color (27). The portion with personalized information (10) is visible when viewing through the transparent window (5) against a first background (36), and not visible when viewing through the transparent window (5) against a second background (37), the second background (37) having a different color to the first background (36).