Security Device Micro-Optic Film Dynamic 3D Image Projection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing micro-optic film materials for security devices, such as banknotes and passports, are limited in projecting dynamic 3D images with color and shading, as they typically produce static 3D images with 'snap' effects and are restricted to binary or monochrome, lacking flexibility in design and registration requirements.
Innovation Solution
A 'top-down' approach is employed, where each desired synthetic image from various viewpoints is processed and used to define what each lens sees, allowing for dynamic 3D objects, halftone effects, and full-color designs, with a binary grid of distributed digital images that can project different images as viewed from different angles without registration requirements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a bottom-up approach is used to construct 3D images from lens views, then static 3D objects can be projected, but the images are limited to binary/monochrome without shading or grayscale
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the conventional bottom-up approach by using a top-down method where complete synthetic images are first designed with full color and shading, then decomposed into lens-specific views. This allows the image design process to work with complete visual information rather than building up from limited binary data, thereby achieving both design flexibility and image quality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from 2D binary image construction to 3D color image synthesis by adding the dimension of color depth and shading information. Each lens view contains not just binary data but color-coded information that contributes to the final full-color 3D synthetic image, enabling grayscale and color effects that were impossible with the previous approach.
2Ease of manufacture
If identical image icons are arranged in a 2D array, then the structure is simple to manufacture, but the projected images are static and lack dynamic effects
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by allowing each lens to have a unique view of the synthetic image tailored to its specific optical characteristics and position. Instead of all lenses displaying identical icons, each lens captures a slightly different perspective or portion of the complete image, enabling dynamic effects and 3D depth while maintaining systematic manufacturing through digital design.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the field of view is extended beyond the device range, then more viewing angles are available, but snap effects occur due to large discontinuities
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamics by creating a continuous gradient of image views across the lens array, where adjacent lenses display progressively changing perspectives of the synthetic image. This dynamic transition between lens views eliminates abrupt discontinuities and snap effects, providing smooth visual continuity even when the field of view extends beyond the central device range.
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
Enables the creation of moving 3D objects, dynamic designs, and full-color images with halftone effects, eliminating 'snap' effects and allowing for the use of digital images from any source, enhancing security features and manufacturing flexibility.
Implementation Method 1
a collection of focusing elements, with each focusing element having an optical footprint; and at least one image layer, the focusing elements and image layer(s) together projecting a different image as the device is viewed at different angles
Data Source
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AI summary
A security device for projecting a collection of synthetic images. The security device comprises a collection of focusing elements in the form of a focusing element sheet, the focusing element sheet having a focal plane, and an image layer, the image layer being placed in the focal plane of the focusing element sheet. Each focusing element of the collection of focusing elements has an optical footprint, wherein each optical footprint comprises a portion of the image layer. The focusing elements and the image layer together project a different viewpoint image as the security device is viewed at different angles. The image layer is made up of an array of discrete digitized domains, each domain constituting an identical or substantially identical subset of each focusing element's optical footprint, wherein the domains are discrete in that no two subsets overlap, and every point in each subset is closest to its respective focusing element and each domain is divided into a number of discrete pixels equal to the number of viewpoint images.