Windowed Security Strip Layout for Banknote Visibility and Strength

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Solution Overview

Problem

The integration of a security strip into security documents, such as banknotes, often results in a significant portion of its surface being concealed, reducing its effectiveness for first-level authentication and potentially weakening the document's mechanical performance.

Innovation Solution

A security document with a security strip partially integrated into its body, where the strip emerges at multiple places on the surface and is impregnated with a de-opacifying agent, allowing it to form visible windows and maintain mechanical integrity, while security elements are strategically positioned to enhance visibility and security.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If the security strip is completely integrated into the body of the document, then the mechanical strength and integrity of the document are improved, but the visibility of the security strip and its authentication marks are significantly reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemechanical strengthVSAvoidvisibility
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSIllumination intensity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the integration of the security strip into segments: the strip is integrated into the document body at certain sections (improving strength) while remaining emergent at other sections (maintaining visibility). This segmentation allows different parts of the strip to serve different functions - embedded portions provide mechanical reinforcement while emergent portions display authentication marks.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies different integration depths to different sections of the security strip. Specifically, the strip is completely integrated in some areas (where mechanical strength is prioritized) and partially emergent in other areas (where visibility and authentication are prioritized). This local variation in integration quality resolves the contradiction between strength and visibility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Illumination intensity

If the security strip emerges in many places on the surface, then the visibility and authentication capability are improved, but the mechanical performance and integrity of the document are weakened

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovevisibilityVSAvoidmechanical performance
Core Design Contradiction:
Illumination intensityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The security strip is divided into multiple segments along its length, with alternating patterns of integration and emergence. This segmentation allows the document to maintain mechanical integrity in embedded sections while providing sufficient visibility in emergent sections for authentication purposes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Rather than having the strip emerge continuously (excessive action that would weaken the document), the patent uses partial emergence at strategically selected locations. This partial action provides adequate visibility for authentication without compromising overall mechanical performance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

3Stability of the object's composition

If the security strip is completely buried in the document body, then the mechanical integrity is maintained, but the effectiveness for first-level authentication is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemechanical integrityVSAvoidauthentication information
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements local variation in strip integration: completely buried sections maintain mechanical integrity while partially emergent sections preserve authentication information. This local quality differentiation ensures both mechanical stability and authentication effectiveness are achieved in their respective zones.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The security strip is segmented into buried and emergent portions, with each segment serving its specific function. The buried segments provide structural stability while the emergent segments display authentication marks, resolving the information loss problem without compromising overall mechanical integrity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

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

This approach increases the visibility of the security strip without compromising its mechanical performance, enhancing authentication capabilities and security without increasing manufacturing complexity or costs.

Implementation Method 1

the body is impregnated with a deopacifying agent at least opposite a part of this strip

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDe-opacification:

Data Source

PatentEP3137312B1Security document impregnated with a de-opacifying agent and method for treating a document
Publication Date: 2018.06.06 OBERTHUR FIDUCIAIRE SAS
  • EP3137312B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3137312B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3137312B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

The invention relates, in particular, to a security document (1) having front (11) and back (10) faces and of which the body (C) at least partially consists of fibres, a security strip (2) being at least partially incorporated into said body (C), said body (C) being impregnated with a de-opacifying agent at least facing a part of said strip (2), characterised by the fact that said strip (2) is partially incorporated into said body (C), such that said strip emerges at a plurality of locations at the surface of said body (C) on said front face (11), thus forming windows (F), two consecutive windows (F) being separated by a bridge (P) corresponding to a region in which the strip (2) is buried in said body (C), and such that said de-opacifying agent also impregnates the body (C) in the areas (3) located to either side of the longitudinal sides of said strip (2), at least facing one region forming a bridge (P).