Optical Anti-Counterfeiting Element Using Micro-Lens Array Sampling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing optical anti-counterfeiting technologies face challenges in achieving sufficient color contrast and multi-color effects in micro-image-text arrays due to limitations in printing technology, particularly in reaching fine accuracy and applying colorful tinting and nanostructure-based solutions.
Innovation Solution
An optical anti-counterfeiting element featuring a substrate with a sampling and synthesizing layer and a micro-image layer, where the micro-image layer includes a coating and multiple color function layers with different color characteristics, allowing for multi-color images with strong contrast and dynamic effects, which can be mass-produced using general-purpose equipment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If general printing technology is used to colorize the micro image-text array, then the manufacturing process is simple, but the printing accuracy is insufficient (printing stroke of 20 microns or more cannot achieve the required fine accuracy of a few microns)
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical printing processes with a micro-lens array optical system. The micro-lens array samples and synthesizes light from the micro image-text array to produce magnified Moiré images, eliminating the need for high-precision mechanical printing while achieving the required fine accuracy through optical magnification effects.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the optical parameters of the system by introducing a micro-lens array with specific focal length and aperture characteristics. This allows the system to achieve high-resolution imaging through optical parameter optimization rather than mechanical precision, transforming the problem from a mechanical printing challenge to an optical parameter optimization problem.
2Ease of manufacture
If stain material filling method is used to colorize the micro image, then colorization can be achieved, but the process is significantly restrictive on line width and groove depth and requires precise matching relationships
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the colorization function from the mechanical printing and groove-filling process. Instead of using stain material that requires precise groove depth and line width control, the system uses the optical properties of the micro-lens array to sample and synthesize colored light, separating the colorization function from the structurally constrained filling process.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces the micro-lens array as an intermediary optical element between the micro image-text array and the observer. This intermediary samples light from different regions and synthesizes magnified Moiré images with color information, mediating the colorization process without requiring direct contact or precise matching between structural parameters.
3Ease of manufacture
If optical absorbing structure with high width-to-depth ratio is used for black colorization, then black colorization can be achieved, but colorful tinting cannot be reached
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the color information into multiple channels by using the micro-lens array to sample light from different regions of the micro image-text array. Each region can have different color characteristics, and the optical synthesis process combines these segmented color information to produce multi-color Moiré images, enabling both black colorization and colorful tinting simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent adds an optical dimension to the colorization process. Instead of relying solely on material properties (width-to-depth ratio for absorption), the system uses optical path differences and interference effects in the Moiré magnification process to generate color information, transforming a one-dimensional material property problem into a multi-dimensional optical synthesis problem.
4Adaptability or versatility
If benched metallic nanostructure or nanoparticles are used for colorization, then colorful tinting can be achieved, but the planar covering method can hardly be applied in mass production
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses the micro-lens array to optically copy and synthesize color information from the micro image-text array. Instead of applying complex nanostructures directly to each micro image element, the system creates an optical copy through Moiré magnification, where the micro-lens array samples and reconstructs color information, enabling mass production through simpler patterning processes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent makes the micro-lens array a universal component that can work with various color schemes and micro image designs. The same micro-lens array structure can sample and synthesize color information from different colored regions, making the system universally applicable to multiple colorization scenarios without requiring different nanostructure configurations for each color scheme.
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 enables the creation of optical anti-counterfeiting products with novel, easily identifiable, and highly secure features, offering enhanced attraction and anti-counterfeiting capabilities while being feasible for large-scale production.
Implementation Method 1
reproduces images with a certain depth of field or dynamic effects through the Moiré magnification of the micro image-text array by the micro-lens array
Implementation Method 2
the micro-image layer can be sampled and synthesized by the sampling and synthesizing layer to form an image
Implementation Method 3
the color function layers in respective sub-regions and the coating in the first region have different color characteristics
Implementation Method 4
ensure that Moiré magnified patterns are easy to identify under different ambient light conditions, the micro image-text array and its background need to have sufficient contrast in color or brightness
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed are an optical anti-counterfeiting element and an optical anti-counterfeiting product utilizing the same, the optical anti-counterfeiting element comprising: a substrate (2) having a first surface (31) and a second surface (32) that are opposed to each other, a sampling and synthesizing layer (21) on a first surface (31) of the substrate (2); and a micro-image layer (22) on a second surface (32) of the substrate (2), the micro-image layer (22) including a first region at least partially covered with a coating (221) and a second region comprising at least two sub-regions each at least partially covered with a color function layer (222, 223), the color function layers (222, 223) in respective sub-regions and the coating (221) in the first region have different color characteristics, respectively, and the micro-image layer (22) can be sampled and synthesized by the sampling and synthesizing layer (21) to form an image. Such optical anti-counterfeiting element and optical anti-counterfeiting product are easy to identify and difficult to counterfeit.