Hybrid Moire-Lenticular Security Device for Dynamic Anti-Counterfeiting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional security devices for documents such as banknotes and passports lack innovative visual effects that can effectively deter counterfeiting, as they often rely on static patterns that can be easily replicated, and do not provide dynamic movement or depth variations.
Innovation Solution
A hybrid moire-magnifier/lenticular security device featuring an array of elongate focusing structures and image elements with varying pitch, creating a dynamic, three-dimensional visual effect that changes with viewing angle, displaying multiple images in different regions and providing a complex, memorable security feature.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional static security patterns are used, then manufacturing is simple and cost-effective, but the security level is low and easily replicated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines moire magnifier and lenticular device structures into a hybrid security device. The moire magnifier array provides magnification of security features, while the lenticular array provides angle-dependent image switching. This merging of two security mechanisms creates a complex device that is difficult to replicate while maintaining manufacturability through established fabrication processes.
Solution Approach 2:
The security device uses composite structural elements combining focusing structures (lenses or mirrors) with image elements in a multi-layer configuration. This composite structure integrates optical functionality with security information display, creating a device that exhibits multiple security effects simultaneously and is resistant to counterfeiting.
2Reliability
If static security features are used, then the device structure is simple, but the visual effect is easily copied and provides no dynamic security verification
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces dynamic visual effects through angle-dependent image switching via the lenticular array and magnification effects through the moire magnifier array. As the viewing angle changes, different images are displayed and magnified, creating a dynamic security verification mechanism that is difficult to replicate with static copying methods.
Solution Approach 2:
The security device incorporates images with different visual characteristics that are displayed at different viewing angles. The varying pitch of image elements creates moire patterns and visual effects that change with angle, providing dynamic visual verification that complicates counterfeiting attempts.
3Loss of information
If uniform pitch image elements are used, then manufacturing is straightforward, but no additional security information or depth variation can be conveyed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements varying pitch of image elements at different locations within the array. This local variation in pitch creates different magnification levels and displays different images in different regions, allowing multiple layers of security information to be conveyed. The localized pitch modification enables depth variation and additional information encoding without requiring complete redesign of the entire structure.
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 hybrid device enhances security by creating a unique, dynamic visual effect that is difficult to replicate, increasing the complexity and thus the security level, and can convey additional information through varying image depths and transitions.
Implementation Method 1
each elongate focusing structure having an optical footprint of which different elongate strips will be directed to the viewer in dependence on the viewing angle
Implementation Method 2
the pitches of the micro-focusing elements and the array of microimage elements and their relative locations are such that the array of micro-focusing elements cooperates with the array of microimage elements to generate a magnified version of the microimage elements due to the moire effect
Data Source
Figure 1(a)~1(d)
Figure 2(a)~2(c)
Figure 2(d)~2(f)
AI summary
A security device is provided. The security device comprises an array of elongate focusing structures, the elongate axes of which are aligned along a first direction, the elongate focusing structures being arranged parallel to one another periodically along a second direction which is orthogonal to the first direction, each elongate focusing structure having an optical footprint of which different elongate strips will be directed to the viewer in dependence on the viewing angle, the centre line of each optical footprint being parallel with the first direction. An array of image elements overlap the array of elongate focusing structures, the array of image elements representing elongate image slices of at least two respective images, each image slice comprising one or more image elements, and at least one image slice of each respective image being located at least partially in the optical footprint of each elongate focusing structure. The array of image elements is configured such that the pitch between the elongate image slices of each respective image in the second direction varies across the array in the first and/or second direction(s). At any one viewing angle, in a first region of the device the elongate focussing structures direct portions of first image slices corresponding to a first image to the viewer such that the first image is displayed across the first region of the device, and simultaneously, in a second region of the device which is laterally offset from the first region in the first and/or second direction(s), the elongate focussing structures direct portions of second image slices corresponding to a second image to the viewer such that the second image is displayed across the second region of the device, the positions of the first and second regions relative to the security device depending on the viewing angle.