Optical structure, manufacturing method thereof, and code forming method

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-12596901-B2
Application number	US-202418671406-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	May 22, 2024
Priority date	Dec 7, 2021
Publication date	Apr 7, 2026
Grant date	Apr 7, 2026

Abstract

There is provided an optical structure that can form a code that is difficult to counterfeit and compatibly has both a high readability and a fine appearance. The optical structure of the present invention includes a reflecting layer having regular reflectivity, and a print layer stacked on at least a part of the reflecting layer, the print layer functioning as a scattering reflector having scattering reflectivity, wherein an image part, which is recognizable when viewed from a stack direction, is formed on the print layer, and the image part includes a pale-color level area that is printed, and a non-pale-color level area interposed between the pale-color level areas.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1 . An optical structure comprising:
a reflecting layer having regular reflectivity; a print layer stacked on at least a part of the reflecting layer, the print layer functioning as a scattering reflector having scattering reflectivity; a spacer layer having light-transmissivity or transparency between the print layer and the reflecting layer; and an emboss layer including a recess-and-projection structure, between the spacer layer and the reflecting layer, or between the spacer layer and the print layer, wherein
an image part, which is recognizable when viewed from a stack direction, is formed on the print layer,
the image part includes a plurality of pale-color level areas that is printed, and a non-pale-color level area interposed between the plurality of pale-color level areas.

2 . The optical structure of claim 1 , further comprising a protection layer having light-transmissivity or transparency, the protection layer covering the print layer.

3 . The optical structure of claim 1 , wherein the non-pale-color level area is a black level area.

4 . The optical structure of claim 1 , wherein a machine-readable code formed by a combination of the plurality of pale-color level areas is disposed.

5 . The optical structure of claim 4 , wherein the reflecting layer is a mirror-surface layer.

6 . The optical structure of claim 5 , wherein the reflecting layer is an evaporation layer.

7 . The optical structure of claim 1 , wherein a pale-color level area among the plurality of pale-color level areas is a white level area.

8 . A bonded optical structure comprising:
a first optical structure including,
a first reflecting layer having regular reflectivity,
a print layer stacked on at least a part of the first reflecting layer, the print layer functioning as a scattering reflector having scattering reflectivity,
a spacer layer having light-transmissivity or transparency between the print layer and the first reflecting layer, and
an emboss layer including a recess-and-projection structure, between the spacer layer and the first reflecting layer, or between the spacer layer and the print layer,
wherein
an image part, which is recognizable when viewed from a stack direction, is formed on the print layer,
the image part includes a plurality of pale-color level areas that is printed, and a non-pale-color level area interposed between the plurality of pale-color level areas; and

a second optical structure including,
a second reflecting layer having regular reflectivity,
a print layer stacked on at least a part of the second reflecting layer, the print layer functioning as a scattering reflector having scattering reflectivity,
a spacer layer having light-transmissivity or transparency between the print layer and the second reflecting layer, and
an emboss layer including a recess-and-projection structure, between the spacer layer and the second reflecting layer, or between the spacer layer and the print layer,
wherein
an image part, which is recognizable when viewed from a stack direction, is formed on the print layer,
the image part includes a plurality of pale-color level areas that is printed, and a non-pale-color level area interposed between the plurality of pale-color level areas

wherein the first optical structure and the second optical structure are bonded as the bonded optical structure with the first reflecting layer of the first optical structure and the second reflecting layer of the second optical structure facing each other.

9 . The bonded optical structure of claim 8 , wherein the non-pale-color level area is a black level area.

Assignees

• Toppan Holdings Inc

Inventors

• Iino Terumine
• Kawahara Tomomi

Classifications

• G06K19/06103

  the marking being embedded in a human recognizable image, e.g. a company logo with an embedded two-dimensional code · CPC title

• B42D25/23

  Identity cards · CPC title

• B42D25/324

  Reliefs · CPC title

• B42D25/305 Primary

  Associated digital information (record carriers for use with machines and with at least a part designed to carry digital markings G06K19/00) · CPC title

• G06K2019/06225

  using wavelength selection, e.g. colour code · CPC title