# US 11,113,919 B2 · Optical switch devices

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- Number: US 11,113,919 B2
- Document ID: US11113919B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 16/105,759
- Filed: 2018-08-20
- Published: 2019-08-01
- Granted: 2021-09-07
- Earliest claimed: 2017-10-20
- Assignees: Wavefront Technology, Inc.
- Applicants: Wavefront Technology, Inc.
- Inventors: Christopher Chapman Rich; Joel Mikael Petersen; Roger Winston Phillips; John Michael Tamkin
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11113919B2

## CPC

- G07D 7/128: Viewing devices
- B42D 25/00: Information-bearing cards or sheet-like structures characterised by identification or security features; Manufacture thereof (printing processes to produce identification or security features B41M3/14)
- B42D 25/21: for multiple purposes
- B42D 25/29: Securities; Bank notes
- B42D 25/30: Identification or security features, e.g. for preventing forgery
- B42D 25/324: Reliefs
- B42D 25/342: Moiré effects
- B42D 25/351: Translucent or partly translucent parts, e.g. windows
- B42D 25/355: Security threads
- B42D 25/373: Metallic materials
- B42D 25/378: Special inks
- B42D 25/425: by deformation, e.g. embossing
- B42D 25/435: using electromagnetic radiation, e.g. laser
- B42D 25/445: using chemical means, e.g. etching
- B42D 25/45: Associating two or more layers
- G01N 21/4738: {Diffuse reflection (precedence is given to G01N21/55 - G01N21/57 if specular component is taken into consideration), e.g. also for testing fluids, fibrous materials}
- G01N 21/55: Specular reflectivity
- G02B 3/005: {arranged along a single direction only, e.g. lenticular sheets (G02B3/0043 takes precedence)}
- G02B 3/0056: {arranged along two different directions in a plane, e.g. honeycomb arrangement of lenses (G02B3/0043 takes precedence; miniaturised objectives for electronic devices employing wafer level optics G02B13/0085)}
- G02B 5/0278: {used in transmission}
- G02B 5/0284: {used in reflection}
- B42D 25/23: Identity cards
- B42D 25/24: Passports
- B42D 25/28: for use in medical treatment or therapy
- B42D 25/328: Diffraction gratings; Holograms
- G01N 2201/063: Illuminating optical parts
- G07D: HANDLING OF COINS OR VALUABLE PAPERS, e.g. TESTING, SORTING BY DENOMINATIONS, COUNTING, DISPENSING, CHANGING OR DEPOSITING
- B42D: BOOKS; BOOK COVERS; LOOSE LEAVES; PRINTED MATTER CHARACTERISED BY IDENTIFICATION OR SECURITY FEATURES; PRINTED MATTER OF SPECIAL FORMAT OR STYLE NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; DEVICES FOR USE THEREWITH AND NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; MOVABLE-STRIP WRITING OR READING APPARATUS
- G01N: INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES (measuring or testing apparatus or processes other than immunoassay, involving enzymes or microorganisms C12M, C12Q)
- G02B: OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS

## Abstract

An optical device includes an array of lenses and a plurality of first and second segments disposed under the array of lenses. At a first viewing angle, the array of lenses presents a first image for viewing without presenting the second image for viewing, and at a second viewing angle different from the first viewing angle, the array of lenses presents for viewing the second image without presenting the first image for viewing. In some examples, individual ones of the first and second segments can comprise specular reflecting, transparent, diffusely reflecting, and/or diffusely transmissive features. In some examples, individual ones of the first and second segments can comprise transparent and non-transparent regions. Some examples can incorporate more than one region producing an optical effect.

## Claims

### Claim 1

An optical device comprising:
an array of lenses;
a plurality of first and second segments disposed under the array of lenses, the first segments corresponding to portions of a first icon and a first background, and the second segments corresponding to portions of a second icon and a second background;
a substrate having a first side and a second side opposite the first side; and
a layer of material,
wherein the array of lenses is disposed on the first side of the substrate,
wherein the first and second segments are disposed on the second side of the substrate,
wherein the first and second segments comprise transparent or diffusely transmissive features,
wherein the transparent or diffusely transmissive features are disposed over the layer of material such that the layer of material is disposed on a side of the transparent or diffusely transmissive features opposite the array of lenses,
wherein at a first viewing angle, the array of lenses presents for viewing the first icon and the first background without presenting the second icon for viewing, and at a second viewing angle different from the first viewing angle, the array of lenses presents for viewing the second icon and the second background without presenting the first icon for viewing,
wherein for the first segments,
specular reflecting features define the first icon, and diffusely transmissive features define the first background, or
specular reflecting features define the first background, and diffusely transmissive features define the first icon, or
transparent features define the first icon, and diffusely reflective features define the first background, or
transparent features define the first background, and diffusely reflective features define the first icon, or
transparent features define first icon, and diffusely transmissive features define the first background, or
transparent features define first background, and diffusely transmissive features define the first icon, or
specular reflecting features define the first icon, and transparent features define the first background, or
specular reflecting features define the first background, and transparent features define the first icon, or
diffusely reflective features define the first icon, and diffusely transmissive features define the first background, or
diffusely reflective features define the first background, and diffusely transmissive features define the first icon,
wherein for the second segments,
specular reflecting features define the second icon, and diffusely transmissive features define the second background, or
specular reflecting features define the second background, and diffusely transmissive features define the second icon, or
transparent features define the second icon, and diffusely reflective features define the second background, or
transparent features define the second background, and diffusely reflective features define the second icon, or
transparent features define second icon, and diffusely transmissive features define the second background, or
transparent features define second background, and diffusely transmissive features define the second icon, or
specular reflecting features define the second icon, and transparent features define the second background, or
specular reflecting features define the second background, and transparent features define the second icon, or
diffusely reflective features define the second icon, and diffusely transmissive features define the second background, or
diffusely reflective features define the second background, and diffusely transmissive features define the second icon, and
wherein the device comprises a kinoform diffuser providing the diffusely reflective features or the diffusely transmissive features.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The device of claim 1, wherein the layer of material comprises a transparent coating configured to provide an index mismatch with the diffusely transmissive features.

### Claim 3 (depends on 2)

The device of claim 2, wherein the coating comprises zinc sulfide, titanium dioxide, tantalum pentoxide, zirconium dioxide, or a combination thereof.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The device of claim 1, wherein the layer of material comprises a window, and wherein the transparent or diffusely transmissive features are disposed over the window.

### Claim 5 (depends on 4)

The device of claim 4, wherein the window comprises a coating.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The device of claim 1, wherein the device is configured to provide authenticity verification on an item for security.

### Claim 7 (depends on 6)

The device of claim 6, wherein the item is a credit card, a debit card, currency, a banknote, a passport, a driver's license, an identification card, a document, a ticket, a tamper evident container or packaging, or a bottle of pharmaceuticals.

### Claim 8 (depends on 6)

The device of claim 6, further comprising at least one transparent region disposed over information on the item.

### Claim 9 (depends on 8)

The device of claim 8, wherein the at least one transparent region is adjacent a metallized region.

### Claim 10 (depends on 8)

The device of claim 8, wherein the information comprises printed information, graphics, or a photograph.

### Claim 11 (depends on 1)

The device of claim 1, wherein the array of lenses comprises a 1D lens array.

### Claim 12 (depends on 1)

The device of claim 1, wherein the array of lenses comprises a 2D array of lenses.

### Claim 13 (depends on 1)

The device of claim 1, wherein the device is configured to provide authenticity verification on an item of security comprising a paper base.

### Claim 14 (depends on 1)

The device of claim 1, wherein the device is configured to provide authenticity verification on an item of security comprising a polymer base.

### Claim 15 (depends on 1)

The device of claim 1, further comprising:
a plurality of third and fourth segments disposed under the array of lenses, the third segments corresponding to portions of a third icon and a third background, and the fourth segments corresponding to portions of a fourth icon and a fourth background,
wherein at a third viewing angle, the array of lenses presents for viewing the third icon and the third background without presenting the fourth icon for viewing, and at a fourth viewing angle different from the third viewing angle, the array of lenses presents for viewing the fourth icon and the fourth background without presenting the third icon for viewing,
wherein the difference in the first and second viewing angles is different than the difference in the third and fourth viewing angles.

### Claim 16 (depends on 15)

The device of claim 15, wherein the second background at the second viewing angle appears the same in outer shape, size, and brightness as the first background at the first viewing angle.

### Claim 17 (depends on 15)

The device of claim 15, wherein the fourth background at the fourth viewing angle appears the same in outer shape, size, and brightness as the third background at the third viewing angle.

### Claim 18 (depends on 15)

The device of claim 15,
wherein for the third segments,
specular reflecting features define the third icon, and diffusely reflective features define the third background, or
specular reflecting features define the third background, and diffusely reflective features define the third icon, or
specular reflecting features define the third icon, and diffusely transmissive features define the third background, or
specular reflecting features define the third background, and diffusely transmissive features define the third icon, or
transparent features define the third icon, and diffusely reflective features define the third background, or
transparent features define the third background, and diffusely reflective features define the third icon, or
transparent features define third icon, and diffusely transmissive features define the third background, or
transparent features define third background, and diffusely transmissive features define the third icon, or
specular reflecting features define the third icon, and transparent features define the third background, or
specular reflecting features define the third background, and transparent features define the third icon, or
diffusely reflective features define the third icon, and diffusely transmissive features define the third background, or
diffusely reflective features define the third background, and diffusely transmissive features define the third icon, and
wherein for the fourth segments,
specular reflecting features define the fourth icon, and diffusely reflective features define the fourth background, or
specular reflecting features define the fourth background, and diffusely reflective features define the fourth icon, or
specular reflecting features define the fourth icon, and diffusely transmissive features define the fourth background, or
specular reflecting features define the fourth background, and diffusely transmissive features define the fourth icon, or
transparent features define the fourth icon, and diffusely reflective features define the fourth background, or
transparent features define the fourth background, and diffusely reflective features define the fourth icon, or
transparent features define fourth icon, and diffusely transmissive features define the fourth background, or
transparent features define fourth background, and diffusely transmissive features define the fourth icon, or
specular reflecting features define the fourth icon, and transparent features define the fourth background, or
specular reflecting features define the fourth background, and transparent features define the fourth icon, or
diffusely reflective features define the fourth icon, and diffusely transmissive features define the fourth background, or
diffusely reflective features define the fourth background, and diffusely transmissive features define the fourth icon.

### Claim 19 (depends on 15)

The device of claim 15, wherein the array of lenses comprises at least two lens arrays.

### Claim 20 (depends on 19)

The device of claim 19, wherein the at least two lens arrays comprise at least two 1D lens arrays.

### Claim 21 (depends on 19)

The device of claim 19, wherein the at least two lens arrays comprise at least two 2D lens arrays.

### Claim 22 (depends on 19)

The device of claim 19, wherein the at least two lens arrays comprise a 1D lens array and a 2D lens array.

### Claim 23 (depends on 19)

The device of claim 19, wherein the at least two lens arrays are displaced at an angle with respect to each other.

### Claim 24 (depends on 1)

The device of claim 1,
wherein at the first viewing angle, the first icon appears dark and the first background appears matte white or grey, and at the second viewing angle, the second icon appears dark and the second background appears matte white or grey, or
wherein at the first viewing angle, the first icon appears bright and the first background appears matte white or grey, and at the second viewing angle, the second icon appears bright and the second background appears matte white or grey, or
wherein at the first viewing angle, the first icon appears dark and the first background appears matte white or grey, and at the second viewing angle, the second icon appears bright and the second background appears matte white or grey.

### Claim 25 (depends on 1)

The device of claim 1, wherein the first icon and the first background and/or the second icon and the second background are achromatic.

### Claim 26 (depends on 1)

The device of claim 1, wherein the first or second segments comprise a tint, an ink, a fluorescent chemical, a transparent dye, an opaque dye, or an opaque pigment.

### Claim 27 (depends on 1)

The device of claim 1, wherein the device is a security thread, a hot stamp feature, an embedded feature, a windowed feature, or a laminated feature.

### Claim 28 (depends on 1)

The device of claim 1, wherein the layer of material comprises a material having a refractive index of about 1.8 to about 3.

### Claim 29 (depends on 1)

The device of claim 1, wherein the array of lenses is formed in a layer on the substrate.

### Claim 30 (depends on 29)

The device of claim 29, wherein the array of lenses is UV casted into a resin layer coated on the substrate.

### Claim 31 (depends on 1)

The device of claim 1, wherein the array of lenses is formed in the substrate.

### Claim 32 (depends on 31)

The device of claim 31, wherein the array of lenses is molded or embossed in the substrate.

### Claim 33 (depends on 1)

The device of claim 1, wherein the specular reflecting features, diffusely transmissive features, transparent features, and/or diffusely reflective features in the first and/or second segments are applied onto the substrate.

### Claim 34 (depends on 1)

The device of claim 1, wherein the specular reflecting features, diffusely transmissive features, transparent features, and/or diffusely reflective features in the first and/or second segments are formed in a layer on the substrate.

### Claim 35 (depends on 1)

The device of claim 1, wherein the specular reflecting features, diffusely transmissive features, transparent features, and/or diffusely reflective features in the first and/or second segments are formed in the substrate.

### Claim 36 (depends on 35)

The device of claim 35, wherein the specular reflecting features, diffusely transmissive features, transparent features, and/or diffusely reflective features in the first and/or second segments are embossed in the substrate.

### Claim 37 (depends on 1)

The device of claim 1, wherein the layer of material comprises an underlying product.

### Claim 38 (depends on 37)

The device of claim 37, wherein the layer of material comprises an underlying product such that the diffusely transmissive features or the transparent features can allow information from the underlying product to be viewed therethrough.

### Claim 39 (depends on 37)

The device of claim 37, wherein the underlying product comprises paper, plastic, polymer, cloth, or fabric.

### Claim 40 (depends on 37)

The device of claim 37, wherein the underlying product comprises a window.

### Claim 41 (depends on 40)

The device of claim 40, wherein the window comprises an opening.

### Claim 42 (depends on 1)

The device of claim 1, wherein the layer of material comprises a window in an underlying product.

### Claim 43 (depends on 1)

The device of claim 1, wherein the layer of material comprises an adhesive.

### Claim 44 (depends on 1)

The device of claim 1, wherein the layer of material is disposed after selective metallization, selective demetallization, or laser ablation.

### Claim 45 (depends on 1)

The device of claim 1, wherein the layer of material comprises a protective layer.

### Claim 46 (depends on 1)

The device of claim 1, wherein the layer of material comprises an interference coating.

### Claim 47 (depends on 1)

The device of claim 1, wherein the layer of material comprises a colored coating.

### Claim 48 (depends on 1)

The device of claim 1, wherein the layer of material comprises a flat or diffuse white coating.