3D Optical Security Products With Angle-Dependent Color Shifting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing anti-counterfeit measures, such as holograms and optically variable inks, have become compromised by widespread counterfeiting and are difficult for the average person to verify, necessitating a new security feature that is easily recognizable, difficult to counterfeit, and can be incorporated into items like packaging and banknotes.
Innovation Solution
The development of optical products with non-holographic features and thin interference structures that produce color shifting effects through reflection and transmission, utilizing reflective and transmissive materials to reproduce a 3D image that changes color with viewing angle, enhancing authenticity verification.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional holograms and optically variable inks are used for anti-counterfeiting, then security features are provided, but these features have become compromised by widespread counterfeiting and are difficult for the average person to verify
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies color shifting materials that change color based on viewing angle to create security features. The color shifting effect is easily observable by the common person, allowing simple verification without specialized equipment. This resolves the contradiction by providing both reliable security (through angle-dependent color changes that are difficult to replicate) and ease of operation (through simple visual verification by tilting the item)
2Reliability
If reflective color shifting features are used for anti-counterfeiting, then color shifting effect is provided, but these features have been compromised by sophisticated counterfeit methods
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses composite color shifting materials that combine multiple properties (color shifting, opacity, reflection characteristics) to create a security feature that is more difficult to counterfeit. The composite nature of the material, with its specific optical properties and angle-dependent behavior, raises the barrier to counterfeiting while maintaining the desired security functionality
3Reliability
If new security features are developed that are difficult to counterfeit and easily verified, then anti-counterfeit effectiveness is improved, but manufacturing complexity may increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs masters (positive or negative) that can be used to replicate the security feature pattern across multiple items. This copying approach allows complex optical patterns to be manufactured efficiently through replication processes, reducing the practical manufacturing complexity while maintaining high security standards. The master-based replication enables consistent production of the color shifting security features across large quantities of items
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
These optical products provide a secure and easily identifiable 3D image that is difficult to counterfeit, visible under various lighting conditions, and can be integrated into items for effective anti-counterfeiting and security applications.
Implementation Method 1
non-holographic features with thin interference structures, films, coatings, and pigments potentially configured to produce color in both reflection mode and transmission mode
Implementation Method 2
produce color in both reflection mode and transmission mode
Implementation Method 3
reproduce by reflected and/or transmitted (or refracted) light
Data Source
AI summary
An optical product can be configured, when illuminated, to reproduce an image that appears to be a 3D image of at least a part of a 3D object. The optical product can include a surface comprising a plurality of portions. Each portion can correspond to a point on a surface of the 3D object. One or more non-holographic features can be disposed within each portion configured to produce at least part of the image without relying on diffraction. An interference optical structure can be disposed on one or more features. A gradient in the features can correlate to a surface normal of the surface of the 3D object at the corresponding point. An orientation of the features can correlate to an orientation of the surface of the 3D object at the corresponding point.