Micro Mirror Array Single Axis Alignment for Optical Security

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Solution Overview

Problem

The embossed or stamped foil approach struggles to replicate certain optical effects produced by magnetically aligned flakes, limiting its ability to introduce advanced and secure optical features.

Innovation Solution

A micro mirror array is created on a structured surface by embossing or stamping a foil with facets aligned along a single axis and randomly oriented relative to a perpendicular axis, mimicking the natural alignment of magnetically aligned flakes to produce unique optical effects like the flat ring feature.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If magnetically aligned flakes are used to produce optical effects, then advanced optical security features can be achieved, but the embossed or stamped foil approach cannot easily replicate these effects

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveability to produce advanced optical effectsVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity of embossed foil approach

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent copies the optical effect production mechanism of magnetically aligned flakes by creating embossed facets on a foil substrate that mimic the light scattering and reflection properties of the flake arrangements, allowing the embossed foil approach to replicate advanced optical security features

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the physical parameters of the embossed facets (orientation, curvature, spacing, and arrangement patterns) to match the optical characteristics produced by magnetically aligned flakes, enabling the foil approach to achieve similar optical effects through geometric parameter optimization

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Manufacturing precision

If embossed facets are arranged in a structured array, then optical security features can be produced, but replicating the random alignment of magnetically aligned flakes is difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvealignment precision of facetsVSAvoidability to create random orientation patterns

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces asymmetric and random orientation patterns in the arrangement of embossed facets, breaking the uniform symmetry typically found in structured arrays. This allows the creation of optical effects that mimic the random alignment characteristics of magnetically aligned flakes while maintaining manufacturing precision through controlled randomness

Inventive Principle:

Principle #4Asymmetry

3Ease of manufacture

If the foil approach is simplified for ease of manufacture, then production becomes easier, but the ability to produce advanced optical effects is limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesimplicity of embossing processVSAvoidrange of optical effects producible

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the optical effect production into multiple independent facet elements on the foil surface. Each facet can be independently embossed with specific geometric parameters, allowing the overall system to produce complex optical effects through the collective arrangement of simpler individual elements, thus maintaining ease of manufacture while expanding optical versatility

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 technique enables the production of advanced optical security features, such as the flat ring optical effect, by controlling the orientation of facets in the micro mirror array, allowing for the emulation and even surpassing of effects achieved with magnetically aligned flakes.

Implementation Method 1

The reflecting structure has a top surface including multiple embossed facets... produces a flat ring feature or optical effect upon incidence of light

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectReflection: Reflection

Data Source

PatentUS11554603B2Security feature based on a single axis alignment of mirrors in a structured surface that forms a micro mirror array

Publication Date: 2023.01.17 VIAVI SOLUTIONS INC(US)

AI summary

The disclosure relates to an optical security feature that is based on a single axis alignment of mirrors or facets in a structured surface that forms a micro mirror array. In an aspect, a device is described that includes a reflecting structure on a first layer, where the reflecting structure has a top surface with multiple embossed facets arranged in a spatial orientation that produces a flat ring optical effect upon incidence of light. In another aspect, a method for making the device is described that provides a reflecting layer and produces the reflecting structure on the reflecting layer with multiple facets arranged in the spatial orientation to produce the flat ring optical effect. In yet another aspect, an apparatus for making the device is described that includes a pressing device and a stamping device to transfer a pattern of the reflecting structure to a reflecting material.