Optical Film Unit-Block Arrays for Bright, High-Definition Images

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing optical films require reproduction under specific conditions matching the reference light at the time of recording, limiting image reproduction to those conditions, and increasing reconstruction points for high-definition images reduces brightness, while decreasing points for brightness increases information insufficiency.

Innovation Solution

The optical film includes a recording surface with arrays of unit blocks, where phase components for first and second images are calculated, allowing for monotone and grayscale images with different reconstruction point densities, optimizing brightness and resolution by controlling the viewing angle and area of calculated element regions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If the number of reconstruction points is increased to improve image definition, then the quality of design pattern is improved, but the brightness of the reproduced image decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveimage definitionVSAvoidbrightness
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSIllumination intensity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the optical film into multiple calculated element regions, each responsible for reproducing a specific image. This segmentation allows different regions to use different numbers of reconstruction points optimized for their specific purposes, enabling high-definition regions and bright regions coexist without mutual interference

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different calculated element regions are assigned different qualities based on their function: some regions use a larger number of reconstruction points for high-definition design patterns, while other regions use fewer points to maintain brightness. This local optimization resolves the contradiction between overall image definition and overall brightness

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Illumination intensity

If the number of reconstruction points is decreased to maintain brightness, then the brightness is maintained, but the information of design pattern becomes insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovebrightnessVSAvoiddesign pattern information
Core Design Contradiction:
Illumination intensityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The optical film is segmented into multiple calculated element regions, each independently optimized for its specific function. This allows the system to maintain sufficient design pattern information in critical regions while preserving brightness in other regions, avoiding the need to compromise overall brightness for information completeness

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Reliability

If the optical film is illuminated under conditions matching the reference light at recording time, then the same image can be reproduced, but the image can be reproduced only under limited conditions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveimage reproduction accuracyVSAvoidreproduction condition flexibility
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and records only the phase components of spatial information in each calculated element region, rather than recording complete reference light information. This extraction allows the optical film to reproduce images based on phase information alone, significantly increasing adaptability to different illumination conditions while maintaining reproduction accuracy

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

By recording phase components that can be processed through computer calculations, the optical film gains multi-functionality: it can reproduce images under various illumination conditions and from different viewing angles, not just under the specific reference light conditions at recording time

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 film enables high-definition image reproduction with optimal brightness and clarity, supporting both artistic and identification information, and allows multiple images to be reproduced with minimized brightness loss and noise interference.

Implementation Method 1

Optical films in recent years are controlled based on interference of light which is calculated by a computer

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight interference: Interference

Implementation Method 2

δ is a diffraction efficiency on the recording surface

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDiffraction: Diffraction

Data Source

PatentEP3547038B1Optical film and method of making the same
Publication Date: 2025.09.24 TOPPAN HOLDINGS INC
  • EP3547038B1 patent drawingFigure 1A~1B
  • EP3547038B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP3547038B1 patent drawingFigure 4A~4B

AI summary

There is provided an optical film (10) including a recording surface (14) on which a plurality of unit blocks (12) are disposed at regular intervals. For these unit blocks (12), phase components of light from a reconstruction point (22) are calculated. The recording surface (14) includes a calculated element region (16) provided with an array of the unit blocks (12) for which phase components of light from the reconstruction point (22) are calculated for reproduction of an image. A first image is a monotone reconstruction image having even brightness, and a second image is a grayscale image having brightness gradation.