Optical Structure With Reflective Codes for Readability and Authentication
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Two-dimensional codes and barcodes are easily counterfeited and lack aesthetic appeal due to their black and white design, which complicates machine reading and visual appearance.
Innovation Solution
An optical assembly comprising a spacer layer, an image forming reflector with a reflective layer, and a protective layer, where the reflector has visible images with removed linear segments forming a machine-readable code, and the spacer layer is made of polyolefin or polymer with an aryl group, enhancing readability and authenticity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If black and white codes are used for machine reading, then readability is improved, but aesthetic quality deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies color changes by using a reflective layer that creates optical effects (iridescent, metallic, or pearlescent appearance) instead of traditional black and white printing. The reflective layer interferes with light to produce color shifts and aesthetic qualities while maintaining machine-readable contrast through strategic placement and pattern design.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses composite materials by combining a translucent or transparent substrate with a reflective layer and overcoat, creating a multi-layer structure that provides both machine-readable contrast and aesthetic visual effects through optical interference and light reflection properties.
2Ease of manufacture
If traditional printing is used for codes, then ease of manufacture is improved, but counterfeit resistance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by transforming the code from a purely printed 2D pattern into a structured optical assembly with specific layer thicknesses, refractive indices, and optical interference properties that are difficult to replicate with simple printing, thereby enhancing counterfeit resistance while maintaining manufacturability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses composite materials by creating a multi-layer optical assembly with translucent substrate, reflective layer, and overcoat that combines materials with different optical properties, making counterfeit reproduction significantly more difficult compared to traditional single-layer printing.
3Shape
If reflective layer is added for aesthetic quality, then appearance is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by designing the reflective layer to serve multiple functions simultaneously: creating aesthetic visual effects, providing machine-readable contrast, and enhancing counterfeit resistance through optical interference, thereby reducing the need for additional separate functional layers.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by strategically positioning the reflective layer in specific regions and patterns that correspond to the code structure, providing aesthetic enhancement and machine-readable contrast only where needed rather than uniformly across the entire surface, thus optimizing manufacturing efficiency.
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 optical assembly provides a code that is difficult to counterfeit and maintains high readability and aesthetic qualities, with visual authentication and machine-readability.
Implementation Method 1
an image forming reflector which has a reflective layer formed at least in a first region of the spacer layer
Implementation Method 2
The image forming reflector has a visible image formed therein and the visible image is authenticatable
Data Source
Figure 1~3
Figure 4~6
Figure 7
AI summary
An optical assembly includes a spacer layer which is translucent or transparent; an image forming reflector which has a reflective layer being formed at least in a first region of the spacer layer; and a protective layer which is laminated over the spacer layer and the image forming reflector and the protective layer being translucent or transparent. The spacer layer is made of a polyolefin or/and a polymer containing an aryl group. The image forming reflector includes a visible image which is authenticatable. The image forming reflector has an individual information record in which a code is stored in the form of a plurality of removed linear segments. The removed linear segments are formed by removing parts of the reflective layer. The image forming reflector has white level regions and a black level region in planar view. Each of the white level regions has the removed linear segments formed therein. The black level region is interposed between the white level regions.