Machine-Readable Holograms from IQ Structures

IQ Structures, a research and production organisation focused on nanotechnology engineering, part of the IQS Group, has introduced holograms that can be authenticated automatically. All it takes is a normal light and a mobile phone app.

When checking security features, an inspector may not be completely familiar with the authenticity and yet, for various reasons, is not able to verify it against the database entry. This is where IQ Structures believe their machine-readable holograms can help. The operation of the solution is simple: a mobile phone with an app illuminates the hologram, the phone reads the feature and then the app confirms its authenticity.

‘Machine-readable holograms combine two very powerful principles. Our holograms contain unique visual effects that virtually cannot be replicated because they are based on special nanostructures. The second principle is automated control, immune to human failure. Each is powerful, together it is unbreakable,’ says IQ Structures CEO Petr Franc. ‘Our new technology has a range of applications, from personal documents to paper certificates and brand protection.’

The machine-readable holograms are put into ID documents as part of IQ proID´s product. This product is based on micro-segmentation technology to ensure seamless integration into the card. Any attempt to manipulate the holographic layer ends up disintegrating the hologram into thousands of miniature parts.

Machine readable holograms can also be used in the area of brand protection. In this application, there may be situations where the brand owner has some sort of track and trace system but doesn’t want to give full access to all customers. The customer doesn’t even know the details of the hologram, so they are only able to make a general check that there is a hologram present on the packaging.

With machine-readable hologram technology, however, the consumer can download an app and check by reading it that it is a genuine security feature.