Micro-optic Device with Dual-Side Optical Effects

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional micro-optic security features on banknotes and security documents are limited by occupying space on both sides of the substrate, allowing optical effects to be viewed from only one side, which restricts design possibilities and compromises the appearance when attempting to overprint with artwork, leading to 'show-through' issues.

Innovation Solution

A micro-optic device with revealing elements on both sides of a transparent substrate, where each side magnifies image elements on the other side, allowing optical effects to be viewed from both sides, and incorporating a unitary structure formed by embossing or printing, with lens and image elements optimized for refractive or diffractive effects.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Area of moving object

If micro lenses and image elements are applied to opposite sides of the polymer substrate, then larger lenses can be used enabling more complex images and effects, but the feature occupies real estate on both sides of the polymer bank note and enables imagery to be projected from one side only

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelens sizeVSAvoidoccupied space on both sides

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of moving objectVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The device segments the optical functionality by separating the micro lenses from the image elements, with lenses on one side and corresponding image elements on the other side. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently while maintaining the overall optical effect.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention utilizes the third dimension (thickness of the substrate) to resolve the space occupation problem. By placing lenses on one surface and image elements on the opposite surface, separated by the substrate thickness, the design effectively uses vertical space rather than competing for horizontal real estate on a single side.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Area of moving object

If micro lenses and image elements are applied to opposite sides of the polymer substrate, then larger lenses can be used enabling more complex images and effects, but imagery can be projected from one side only

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelens sizeVSAvoidviewing direction

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of moving objectVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The device achieves multi-functionality by enabling optical effects to be viewed from both sides of the substrate. Each side has lenses that can project imagery, making the device functional regardless of which side faces the observer, thus providing viewing versatility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Adaptability or versatility

If the real estate occupied by the image elements is overprinted with typical bank note design artwork, then design flexibility is improved, but the appearance of the optical effects is compromised due to show-through

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedesign flexibilityVSAvoidoptical effect appearance

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The invention creates a complementary image elements layer that mirrors the lens arrangement. This copying approach ensures that overprinted artwork on one side does not interfere with the optical effects viewed from the other side, as each side has its own corresponding elements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

4Area of stationary object

If revealing elements and image elements are arranged in interleaved strips on each side, then space utilization is improved and optical effects are viewable from both sides, but the structure becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvespace utilizationVSAvoidstructure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of stationary objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The device segments the optical functionality by separating the micro lenses from the image elements, with lenses on one side and corresponding image elements on the other side. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently while maintaining the overall optical effect.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention utilizes the third dimension (thickness of the substrate) to resolve the space occupation problem. By placing lenses on one surface and image elements on the opposite surface, separated by the substrate thickness, the design effectively uses vertical space rather than competing for horizontal real estate on a single side.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

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

Enables more efficient use of space for security features, allowing optical effects to be visible from both sides of the document, enhancing authentication while maintaining design flexibility and preventing show-through, thus improving the integration and effectiveness of micro-optic devices in security documents.

Implementation Method 1

lens and image elements optimized for refractive or diffractive effects

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectRefraction: Refraction

Implementation Method 2

lens and image elements optimized for refractive or diffractive effects

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDiffraction: Diffraction

Data Source

PatentUS10987967B2Micro-optic device with double sided optical effect

Publication Date: 2021.04.27 CCL SECURE PTY LTD

AI summary

A micro-optic device, including: a transparent substrate; first lens elements on a first side of the substrate that reveal first image elements on a second side of the substrate; and second lens elements on the second side of the substrate that reveal second image elements on the first side of the substrate.