Optical Security Film With 3D Images and Color Shifting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing anti-counterfeit measures such as holograms and optically variable inks are easily replicated, making them ineffective as security features, and color shifting features are impractical to counterfeit using common equipment, necessitating a new security feature that is easily recognizable, difficult to counterfeit, and can be incorporated into items like packaging or banknotes.
Innovation Solution
Development of optical products with non-holographic features, thin interference structures, and coatings that produce 3D images in reflection and transmission modes, utilizing thin films and pigments for color shifting effects that are difficult to replicate, and can be integrated into items as embedded or laminated features.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If holograms and optically variable inks are used as anti-counterfeit features, then security protection is provided, but these features become easily replicated and lose effectiveness
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies color shifting materials that change color based on viewing angle, making counterfeiting difficult. The color shifting effect is produced by thin interference structures and pigments that are impractical to replicate using common copying equipment, thereby maintaining security effectiveness while increasing counterfeiting difficulty
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines multiple optical features including thin interference structures, reflective layers, and color shifting pigments in a composite security element. This multi-layer composite structure produces complex optical effects that are difficult to replicate, addressing both the reliability of security and the difficulty of counterfeiting
2Ease of manufacture
If color shifting features are used to prevent counterfeiting, then counterfeiting difficulty increases, but the features must be integrated into items which adds manufacturing complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the security element into separate functional layers including thin interference structures, reflective layers, and color shifting pigments. This segmentation allows each layer to be optimized independently and then combined, reducing overall integration complexity while maintaining high counterfeiting difficulty
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses thin film structures that can be laminated onto various substrates such as packaging, tags, or banknotes. These flexible thin films simplify integration into different items while maintaining the color shifting properties that increase counterfeiting difficulty
3Ease of manufacture
If thin interference structures and coatings are used to produce 3D images, then color shifting effects are achieved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent controls the optical properties by adjusting parameters such as thin film thickness, refractive index, and pigment concentration. By optimizing these parameters during manufacturing, the patent achieves consistent color shifting effects while managing the precision requirements through controlled variable ranges
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 products provide a secure, easily identifiable 3D image that changes color with viewing angle, making counterfeiting difficult and enhancing authentication without the need for complex verification methods.
Implementation Method 1
non-holographic features with thin interference structures, films, coatings, and pigments potentially configured to produce one or more 3D images
Implementation Method 2
reproduce by reflected (or refracted) and/or transmitted light
Implementation Method 3
reproduce by reflected (or refracted) and/or transmitted light
Implementation Method 4
These structures, films, coatings, and pigments can possibly exhibit color shifting properties with changes in reflection and/or transmission potentially with a change in the angle of incidence or the viewing angle
Data Source
AI summary
An optical product includes an array of lenses and first and second plurality of portions disposed under the array of lenses. Individual ones of the first plurality of portions can correspond to a point on a surface of a first 3D object, and include first non-holographic features configured to produce at least part of a first 3D image of the first 3D object. Individual ones of the second plurality of portions can correspond to a point on a surface of a second 3D object, and include second non-holographic features configured to produce at least part of a second 3D image of the second 3D object. The optical product can include an interference optical structure disposed with respect to the first and/or second non-holographic features.