Retroreflective Sheet With Directional Point Images
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing retroreflective sheetings lack effective anticounterfeit characteristics and fail to provide dynamic image information that can enhance observer engagement and authenticity verification.
Innovation Solution
A micro glass sphere retroreflective sheeting with set images formed by point images having specific visual directions, where each point image is visible from a predetermined direction, and the inclination angles of adjacent images are set between 5 to 25 degrees to create a moving image effect with afterimages, providing both excellent anticounterfeit and information-providing capabilities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional retroreflective sheeting with static authentication marks is used, then the basic authentication function is provided, but the anticounterfeit characteristic is insufficient and observer engagement is low
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by creating images with specific visual directions that produce a moving image effect when viewed from different angles. Each point image has a predetermined visual direction, and when multiple such images are arranged in sets with different inclination angles (5-25 degrees), they create a dynamic visual experience that changes with observer position, significantly enhancing anticounterfeit characteristics compared to static marks.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements another dimension principle by introducing visual directionality as a new dimension for authentication images. Instead of conventional two-dimensional static marks, the invention uses point images with specific visual directions in three-dimensional space, creating images that are visible only from predetermined directions. This adds a dimensional aspect that makes counterfeiting difficult while maintaining manufacturing feasibility.
2Loss of information
If static authentication images are used, then the authentication function is provided, but observer engagement and information provision are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enhances information provision and observer engagement by creating dynamic visual effects through images with different visual directions. When observers move or when light reflects at different angles, the images with inclination angles of 5-25 degrees create a moving image effect with afterimages, providing rich visual information that engages observers and makes the authentication process more informative and engaging.
3Adaptability or versatility
If images with large inclination angle differences are used, then different visual directions are achieved, but the moving image effect and afterimage formation are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the inclination angle parameter to fall within the specific range of 5-25 degrees. This parameter optimization ensures that images with different visual directions maintain appropriate angular relationships, allowing the human visual system to perceive afterimages and moving image effects. The parameter change principle is applied by carefully controlling the inclination angles to achieve the desired visual effect while maintaining versatility in visual direction.
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 enhances the anticounterfeit characteristics and provides a moving image effect that is more engaging than static images, ensuring the retroreflective sheeting's authenticity and visibility, making it suitable for applications like traffic signs and vehicle registration plates.
Implementation Method 1
a monolayer of microsphere-lenses 12 adapted to receive light rays incident on the front surface of a sheeting and to form a focus of the light rays incident
Implementation Method 2
a specularly reflective layer 16 coated over the spacing layer 14
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3(A)~4(B)
Figure 5~6
AI summary
[Object] A retroreflective sheeting that is provided with a set image having excellent anticounterfeit characteristic and information transmission characteristic is provided. [solution] A micro glass sphere retroreflective sheeting 100 provided with set images having visual directions is the micro glass sphere retroreflective sheeting 100 provided with at least two adjacent set images (L1, L2) each of which is formed by a set of a large number of point images each having a visual direction so as to be visible from a predetermined direction, wherein a visible region of each of the point images forming the set images (L1, L2) has a conical dimension having an apex at each of the point images (P1, P2), an inclination angle (β) of a center axis of the conical visible region of each of the point images (P1, P2) forming the set images (L1, L2) is set to 0 to 45 degrees, and a difference (Δβ) between the inclination angles of the center axes in the conical visible regions of the point images (P1, P2) respectively in the set images adjacent to each other is set to range of between 5 and 25 degrees.