Optical device that produces flicker-like optical effects
US10434812B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 27, 2015 |
| Grant date | Oct 8, 2019 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 27, 2035 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG09F19/14
- WIPO fieldOptics
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
An optical device that produces flicker-like optical effects is provided. The inventive device employs directionally cured image icons. Specifically, the optical device is made up of at least one arrangement of image icons formed from one or more cured pigmented materials, and at least one arrangement of optionally embedded focusing elements positioned to form one or more synthetic images of at least a portion of the arrangement(s) of image icons. Some or all of the pigmented material(s) is cured using collimated light directed through the focusing elements toward the arrangement(s) of image icons at one or more angles relative to a surface of the optical device to form directionally cured image icons. The synthetic image(s) of the directionally cured image icons is viewable at the cure angle(s) and therefore visually appears and disappears, or turns on and off, as the viewing angle of the device moves through the cure angle(s). The inventive optical device may be used in conjunction with laser engraving allowing for, in at least one embodiment, superior laser engraving through the optical device.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.