Engraved Optically Variable Image Device with Tactile Contrast
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Solution Overview
Problem
Optically variable devices, such as those using magnetic flakes, often lack sufficient distinguishability from their background, making them difficult to recognize under certain lighting conditions, and lack tactile features that could aid in authentication, especially for the visually impaired.
Innovation Solution
Creating an image with contrasting regions where magnetic flakes are aligned by a magnetic field in one region and mechanically reoriented or removed in an adjacent region, providing both optical and tactile differences that enhance recognition and authenticity verification.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If magnetic flakes are used to create optically variable images, then color-shifting effect is achieved, but the images are not sufficiently distinguishable from background under uniform lighting conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different flake orientations in different regions of the image. Background areas have flakes oriented at one angle while foreground elements have flakes oriented at a different angle, creating local optical quality differences that enhance distinguishability under uniform lighting conditions
2Reliability
If magnetic flakes are aligned by magnetic field, then optical variable effect is achieved, but tactile features for authentication are not provided
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines optical and tactile authentication features into a single device. Magnetic flakes provide both optical variable effects for visual authentication and raised tactile patterns for tactile verification, merging two authentication modalities into one integrated security feature
Solution Approach 2:
The patent adds a tactile dimension to the traditionally two-dimensional optically variable image. By creating raised patterns through selective flake orientation, the device transitions from purely visual to including tactile feedback, enabling authentication by touch
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 results in an image that offers significant optical contrast and tactility, improving security features by allowing recognition under varying lighting and enabling tactile verification, particularly beneficial for authenticating banknotes or documents.
Implementation Method 1
at least a first region of the discernible regions having magnetic flakes thereon having been aligned by an applied magnetic field having a predetermined orientation
Implementation Method 2
a second region of the discernible regions adjacent the first region having flakes thereon oriented differently than flakes in the first region, wherein, said orientation of the flakes in the second region being a result of mechanically impressing flakes within the second region
Data Source
AI summary
A method and image made by the method is disclosed wherein non-spherical magnetically alignable optical pigment flakes in transparent carrier are applied to a substrate and are aligned by applying a magnetic field to the substrate. The pigment flakes align along magnetic field lines and a tool for impressing or scribing the flakes is applied to a sub-region of the substrate to realign or remove flakes from a desired region. For example a scribing tool can be used to scribe a signature or other marks within the magnetically aligned flakes. The flakes are then cured and the image is preserved which has optical and tactile features.