NZ623924B2 - Object comprising a region of its surface suitable for showing a plurality of images - Google Patents

Abstract

object (1) comprising a region (R) of its surface suitable for showing a plurality of images each observable from a different direction such that upon observing one of the images the other images stop being visible. The region comprises a plurality of cavities (1.1) in low relief regularly distributed on the surface of the region (R), each of the cavities (1.1) shows a plurality of side facets 10 (1.1.1, 1.1. 2, 1.1. 3), at least one facet per image, where each facet (1.1.1, 1.1.2, 1.1.3) is associated with either a first light level or a light level different from the first. The configuration allows for mass production by means of stamping or minting techniques and complicates the reproduction by unauthorized manufacturers. A method for producing a stamp for the production and a method for production is also included. buted on the surface of the region (R), each of the cavities (1.1) shows a plurality of side facets 10 (1.1.1, 1.1. 2, 1.1. 3), at least one facet per image, where each facet (1.1.1, 1.1.2, 1.1.3) is associated with either a first light level or a light level different from the first. The configuration allows for mass production by means of stamping or minting techniques and complicates the reproduction by unauthorized manufacturers. A method for producing a stamp for the production and a method for production is also included.

Description

W0 2013/072449 OBJECT COMPRISING A REGION OF ITS SURFACE SUITABLE FOR SHOWING A ____________.fi______________mfl_______________*w_____________ PLURALITY OF IMAGES Object of the Invention The t invention relates to an object comprising a region of its surface suitable for showing a plurality of . Each of these images is observable fronl a different direction such that upon observing one of the images the other images stop being observable and do not interfere in the viewing of the observed image.

The configuration which allows generating' the region of surfaces suitable for showing the plurality of images allows for the mass production by means of stamping or minting techniques and complicates the reproduction by unauthorized manufacturers.

A method which allows obtaining the object having a region suitable for showing a plurality of images is also an object of the present invention.

An embodiment of the ion particularly has a region suitable for showing a plurality of images where the change in inclination of the observer with respect to the e where the image is d generates a brightness band which moves as the observer changes r inclination, this effect also being independent from that produced in the other images.

Background of the Invention There are various solutions for printing images by making use of inks or by means of laser engraving techniques which allow generating holographic images. The production cost of techniques of this type and the materials required make their use in coin minting or their incorporation into objects ed for example by stamping unviable.

Spanish patent with publication number E82042423 which describes a method for obtaining dual image engravings on rigid surfaces is known. This patent works with surfaces having grooves with different inclinations for generating . The use of s allows easily producing this type of engravings; 2012/072809 however, this easy production also tates the reproduction by third parties from a piece thus engraved.

The present invention has a surface capable of reproducing a plurality of images such that it dously complicates making a copy starting from a genuine object incorporating these images.

Description of the Invention A first aspect of the invention is an object comprising a region of its surface suitable for g a plurality of images such that each image is observable by a user from a direction with a different orientation. The invention establishes a configuration of this region such that when the user observes the region from one direction he/she ves an image, or part of the image, but not the rest of the . To e the rest of the images the user must change his/her ation orientation with respect to the same region. The region showing a plurality of images is preferably flat, however, the invention also allows viewing the plurality of images on surfaces with a certain curve. In these cases the image may not be seen in its entirety from the same orientation and requires slight changes in orientation to perceive the entire image.

The region showing a plurality of images comprises: 0 A plurality of cavities in low relief regularly distributed on the surface of the region.

The special configuration of the cavities allows viewing different images according to the observation orientation.

The use of low relief complicates the production when an object produced in accordance with the invention is provided; however it can be produced at a low cost by means of stamping techniques starting, for example, from a laser—carved punch. 0 Each of the cavities shows a plurality of side facets, at least one facet per image, where each facet is associated with either a first light level or a light level different from the first.

The invention establishes a first light level and one or more different light levels. The simplest particular embodiment makes use of two light levels, however, in the embodiments there is described a ular embodiment which allows generating shifting effects when the observer progressively changes the inclination of his/her observation point of one of the images based on the use of an appropriately selected range of light levels.

Each cavity is formed by a plurality of facets, facet being understood as a flat region of the cavity and therefore has essentially the same reflection. Each cavity has one facet per image. Each image is thus constructed imposing conditions on the facets which are associated with said image t such conditions ing the g' of the rest of the images, and therefore the facets associated with other such images. 0 The facets which determine an image and are associated with the first light level have the same orientation and inclination with respect to the surface where the cavity is located; and this orientation is different from the orientation of the facets of another ent image.

This is how each of the images is generated. At least two light levels are used. Each facet of those which determine an image of the cavity serves as a pixel of the image and is e of showing at least two light levels. These light levels are independent from those shown by the same cavity due to the ation which allows observing another different image.

A distinction is made between orientation and inclination.

Orientation is the direction normal to the e of a facet. Throughout the description, inclination refers to the angle formed between a facet and the surface on which the cavity is located. tually, the main surface is what would correspond if there were no cavities. The inclination of’ a facet is not the orientation of said facet although varying the inclination means varying the orientation.

Different particular cases which also solve different W0 2013/072449 technical ms are bed in the detailed description of the invention.

A second aspect of the invention is a method for generating a surface in a region of an object suitable for showing a plurality of images such that each image is able by a user from a different direction.

The method comprises at least two steps: 0 establishing' a configuration of the surface formed by a plurality of cavities ing to any of the embodiments, or the complementary thereof, 0 ng out a laser g process on the surface according to the established configuration.

The method plates generating a e, either directly observable or with the complementary configuration, according to the first aspect of the invention. In this second case the object obtained can in turn result in producing multiple surfaces. This is the case of cturing a punch.

A configuration of the surface can be established according to the first inventive aspect, for example, by means of a model which can be depicted by a computer and be transferred to a machine capable of generating surfaces according to the definition of said model.

Laser carving of the surface according to the established configuration results in a surface which allows multiple transfers, for example, by means of subsequent stamping and/or minting operations.

It has been seen that the use of powder metallurgy steels is especially suitable for producing objects which, by stamping, generate objects having a plurality of images according to the first aspect of the invention which are the accurate reproduction of the original computer~generated definition.

Description of the Drawings The ing' and other features and advantages of the invention will be better understood from the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment, provided only as a non- 2012/072809 ng illustrative example, in reference to the attached drawings.

Figure 1 shows an embodiment where the object comprising a region with a surface suitable for g a plurality of images is a coin.

Figures 2a, 2b and 2c show three different embodiments of cavity configurations, by means of triangular-, square— and hexagonal~based pyramids.

Figure 3 shows a plan view of two cavities as well as a section perpendicular to the main e located in the center line of the plan View. Arrows which allow describing the light changes of the facets according to their inclination are shown on the section.

Figure 4 shows a perspective view of four particular cases of cavities depicting images.

Figure 5 schematically shows an embodiment where an area of the region where the plurality of images is located shows an effect of the ssive change in brightness for one of the images due to minor changes in orientation of the observer.

Figure 6 shows the schematic depiction of a region on which four superimposed images have been defined.

Figure 7 shows an enlarged view of an image in perspective view of a region with cavities ing to one embodiment. ed Description of the Invention A first aspect of the invention is an object comprising a region (R) of its surface suitable for showing a plurality of images. In a first embodiment this object is a coin (l) in which the region (R) suitable for showing a plurality of images is located in at least one of its faces.

This region (R) comprises a plurality of low relief cavities (1.1) distributed regularly in said region (R). Figures 2a, 2b and 2c show different embodiments where the cavities are pyramids such that their base coincides with the main surface of the face of the coin (1); and the triangular faces thereof are set inwards such that the apex is located under the main e. In another embodiment the pyramids are truncated and therefore have no apex.

Figure 2a shows a regular distribution of triangular~based pyramids, Figure 2b shows a r distribution of square—based pyramids, and Figure 2c shows a regular distribution of hexagonal-based pyramids. In order to dedicate the entire surface to the reflection as part of one of the images, the regular distribution is such that the entire available surface area is d; however, a certain separation distance could exist between each of the es. These drawings have also only shown a few cavities; however, it is understood that the surface of the region (R) is covered 'by the repetition of a specific pattern. This pattern is different according‘ to the polygonal uration of the pyramid base. The use of square— based pyramids, for example, results in a distribution in rows and s according to a ian structure; however, the use of hexagonal bases results in three main directions (which will result in 6 possible images) considering the projection on the main plane ding with the face of the coin (1).

In this embodiment where the es (1.1) are polygonal- based pyramids, each of the faces of the pyramid is associated with a different image. These faces of the pyramid are facets (1.1.1, 1.1.2, 1.1.3, 1.1.4). The facets therefore are flat sectors, in this particular case the faces of the ds, each of them associated with an image.

Figure 3 shows two cavities (1.1) in plan view where the cavities correspond to a configuration in the form of a square- based pyramid. The square base at the outer mouth of the cavity (1.1) and the side walls of the pyramid correspond to the facets (1.1.1, 1.1.2, 1.1.3, 1.1.4). Since the pyramid. is a square— based pyramid and has 4 faces, a region made up of this type of cavities (1.1) is capable of showing 4 images.

In this embodiment two light levels, a first light level and a second light level, are used. In this same Figure 3, in the upper part of the plan view of the two cavities, a section is shown according to a plane perpendicular to the main surface W0 20131072449 PCT/EP20121072809 contained in the bases of the pyramids and passing through the two apexes of the es.

Considering the cavity (1.1) shown on the left, each of the facets of said cavity has a different normal direction. In this case there are four different orientations. The orientation shown by the four facets of the cavity on the left corresponds to a first light level and it is the level associated with the inclination of the facet if it is the one which corresponds to the r pyramid.

The eye of an observer receiving the light reflected from an incident beam on the first side facet (1.1.1) of the cavity (1.1) is schematically shown in the section. With this orientation of the region (R) with respect to the er, the eye of this observer will not receive the light ted from any of the remaining side facets (1.1.2, 1.1.3, 1.1.4).

The cavity (1.1) shown on the right shows a first side facet (1.1.1) the inclination of which has been increased. The inclination has been increased. by means of a rotation with respect to the edge d between the main e and the side facet (1.1.1). In this case this edge also coincides with the edge ing from the intersection between the base of the d and the first side facet (1.1.1).

In this embodiment the increase in the inclination of the first side facet (1.1.1) results in the appearance of three sectors (B1, B2, B3) having additional flat surfaces serving as the connecting surfaces between the first side facet (1.1.1) and its adjacent side facets (1.1.2, 1.1.4), particularly, one sector having a triangular surface (Bl) at the bottom parallel to the base or the main surface, and two sectors having oblique triangular side surfaces. This way of connecting the first side facet (1.1.1), with the increased inclination and therefore associated with a second light level, and the side facets is not the only one. Other ways for connecting adjacent side facets will be described in other embodiments.

On this same configuration, in the section corresponding to this cavity (1.1) shown on the right in Figure 3, it is observed W0 2013/072449 that for an observer d in the same position as the observer schematically shown in the cavity on the left, and, for an incident light beam which also comes from the same direction, the reflected light does not reach the observer rather, in this embodiment, it s the base (B1).

In one embodiment, the base (Bl) has been made according to a mottled surface ting the incident light to a lesser degree to entiate to a greater degree the ence between the first light level and the second light level.

However, it is le for the incident beam to end up in the direction where the observer is, but this last direction of reflection is the result of more reflections on several surfaces of the same cavity (1.1). In this case, since each reflection will change the light level, the user will also perceive this change and therefore the image. The greater the difference between the first light level and the second light level, the greater the contrast of the reproduced image.

Continuing with an embodiment and using the particular case of square—based pyramids to describe the invention in detail, since each side facet (1.1.1, 1.1.2, 1.1.3, 1.1.4) is capable of reproducing a different image, in this particular case 4, it is necessary to determine how to assign the light level in each cavity and in each facet to configure the region (R) resulting in a e which allows g the 4 images.

In this embodiment, 4 different images are chosen: a first image showing a letter “M”, a second image showing a number, a third. image showing a circle and a fourth image showing a symbol.

These images can, for example, be depicted in black and white. Like a black and white digital image, pixels illuminated in white and others in black resulting in two disconnected regions would be distinguished, in this case each cavity (1.l) (actually a facet of said cavity) will perform the function of a pixel and will also be assigned a first light level or a second light level. The first light level, for example, corresponds to the color white and the second light level corresponds to black.

W0 2013/072449 Since each cavity (1.1) has four side facets , 1.1.2, 1.1.3, 1.1.4), the first image will establish in each cavity the inclination that will be adopted by the first side facet (1.1.1), either that shown on the left in Figure 3 or that shown on the right in Figure 3, incorporating additional surfaces (Bl, B2, B3).

It is possible to do the opposite by interchanging the inclination of the side facets associated with either light level.

Figure 4 shows a perspective view of a sequence of 4 different cavities. The cavity sh0wn on the left is an inverted pyramid having four facets (1.1.1, 1.1.2, 1.1.3, 1.1.4) with the same inclination. This case corresponds to the situation in which the four images e showing the first light level in said cavity.

The second cavity starting from the left is a cavity in which the image associated with the facet (1.1.4) located in the upper part (with respect to the orientation of the sheet of the drawing) requires a second light level by sing its inclination. Close to the apex there are three onal triangular surfaces which are in transition between this side facet (1.1.4) and the rest of the side facets (1.1.1, 1.1.2, 1.1.3) and particularly the base (B1) of the bottom. This configuration of the side facet (1.1.4) with increased inclination does not affect the light level which the rest of the side facets associated with the other 3 images continue to show.

The third cavity starting from the left is a cavity in which two images impose an increased degree of inclination on the upper side facet (1.1.4) and right side facet (1.1.3) (with respect to the orientation of the sheet of the drawing) to show a second light level; and the remaining third and fourth images require in this same cavity (1.1) a first light level and therefore do not e increasing the ation of the facets located on the left (1.1.1) and below (1.1.2) (also with respect to the orientation of the sheet of the drawing). In this _ 10 _ particular case the number of transition es has been reduced by establishing a e at the bottom (Bl) common to the upper facet (1.1.4) and right facet (1.1.3) and only one transition surface with the surfaces the inclination of which has not been modified has been added.

The technical effect of identifying the adjacent side facets the inclination of which has been increased to eliminate interface surfaces leaving a common bottom is the elimination of edges in the cavity (1.1) to depict the same light levels. The reduction of edges in an image is very important because a laser carving—based production process requires transferring the configuration of the surface by means of computer processes and the volume of information to be managed is proportional to the number of edges and apexes. Although the resolution of an image is proportional to the number of cavities (1.1) and it can be high, the number of edges entails several images and entails a very large volume of information which can even result in the tion of the laser device ment systems.

It has already been mentioned that the light levels different from the first light level can be obtained by assigning an increased inclination to the side facets , 1.1.2, 1.1.3, 1.1.4). In the embodiments described, this increased inclination is the same in all the cavities (1.1).

In one ment, this inclination different from that of the facets (1.1.1, 1.1.2, 1.1.3, 1.1.4) associated with the first light level is selected in a specific manner.

Figure 5 shows a rectangular region (R) on which low relief square—based cavities (1.1) have been arranged distributed in rows and s. A subset of cavities forming a pattern (P) has been fied from this set of cavities (1.1). This pattern (P), which for the sake of city is also rectangular, could, for example, show an image different from the four images shown by the region (R) and particularly different from the image associated with the side facets arranged in the upper part of this figure and associated with the first image.

According to this embodiment, the pattern (P) will 1.11_ ish a subset of cavities in which the upper side facet (1.1.1), highlighted in black in Figure 5, if according to the first image must show a light level different from the first light level, then the degree of inclination of the upper side facets (1.1.1) is determined according to a pre—established function.

The right side of the figure shows a function the nates of which are the position along a direction perpendicular to a distribution in rows of the cavities (1.1) located in the rectangular area of the pattern (P) and the abscissas the value of the function. In this case the value of the abscissas has been identified as “L” related to the degree of inclination and therefore to the light.

This function, taken at the points corresponding' to the position of a specific row, establish the ation adopted by the side facets (1.1.1) of that row when the image associated with said side facets establishes that the light level is different from the first light level.

Figure 5 shows with broken lines the site where the te values of the X coordinate have been taken in order to take the value of the function corresponding to said coordinate.

The value of the discretized function is shown with black circles on the continuous curve of the on.

In this case, the conditions that the cavities of the region (R) must verify are: 0 The cavities (1.1) are distributed in rows parallel to an edge or a side of the base of the cavity (1.1).

In this case the rows are considered ntal and therefore parallel to the upper edge or side of the base of the cavity (1.1). If, for example, the cavities were hexagonal-based es as shown in Figure 2c then the distribution in rows could be horizontal or also according to two oblique lines coinciding with the orientation imposed by the edges or sides of the bases of the hexagonal pyramids. o For a plurality of rows parallel to an edge or a side of the base of the cavity (1.1), at least the facets of a set of WO 72449 -12... cavities of one and the same row having an inclination associated with a second light level different from the first light level have the same inclination.

The set of es of one and the same row having an inclination associated with a second light level different from the first light level is the set identified by means of the pattern (P). The possibility of ing a subset of cavities in one and the same row allows ing a brightness effect that can be shifted with the user’s progressive change in orientation where this brightness effect can in turn have a form different from that of the image viewed by the user. The ion of this subset of cavities determines the form of this different image.

I The inclination of the set of es with the same inclination belonging to the different rows varies progressively from row to row and along all the rows.

A simple way of depicting the progressive row‘to—row variation of the inclination of the cavities having the same inclination —and not the only one— is the use of the function depicted on the right of Figure 5.

The function’s behavior changes the way of varying the brightness shifting effect when the user changes his/her orientation.

In the example shown in Figure 5, the pattern (P) is gular and the function is a continuous function. The user views a bright band in those rows close to the orientation in which he/she directly perceives the reflected beams. The rows further‘ away from these rows have a different angle and are ore darker. If the user slightly changes the inclination of the object, the direction where the reflected beams are directly perceived (where the user observes the brightness) will correspond to the rows located progressively above or below the preceding row. The resulting effect while the object moves is the effect where the bright band shifts according to the change in orientation of the object.

Each of the images, there can be up to four images in this -13_ embodiment, can have associated ith its pattern and inclination variation on also independently resulting in the brightness variation .

To prevent the pixelated effect and to improve the definition of the depicted images, the characteristic size of the cavities (1.1) must be the smallest le. Tests have been carried out with prototypes and it has been found that the result is very good when using square~based pyramids with dimensions of the side of the base between 0.1 and 0.3 mm, preferably between 0.15 and 0.20 mm and more preferably 0.16 mm, and a depth of the apex of the pyramid between 0.04 and 0.08 mm, preferably 0.06 mm.

For these dimensions, using milling processes would not produce correct results since rounded edges and planes with fuzzy borders would. be obtained, reducing the sharpness and contrast of the depicted images.

A production mode suitable for ing an object incorporating a region (R) suitable for showing a ity of images with such restrictive conditions uses laser equipment on a steel block of those used in cold working tools. The laser used has approximate characteristics of pulse time in nanoseconds and a beam diameter of 10 to 15 um.

Carving by means of a pulsed laser beam can be carried out directly on the final piece, but if l pieces need to be carved, it is preferably transferred by means of press tamping to an intermediate part or die where it will be inverted, with high relief pyramids, and subsequently to the final piece, where it will be defined with the same configuration as the original obtained by the laser.

The tamping tests conducted. have been satisfactory, the original optical effect being maintained in the final piece.

The production process has been tested for coin and medal minting processes.

By way of example, Figure 6 schematically shows a region (R) demarcated above and below by two arched side sectors and two ht sectors. The use of the terms sides, above and _14_ below must be interpreted according to the orientation of the drawing. In this embodiment, this region (R) is part of the area of a face of a coin. Four images are shown in this region (R), each able to be viewed from a different orientation, which are superimposed in the projection shown in Figure 6. The user observing' the region (R) will observe an image if he/she is located on the right, another image if he/she is located on the left, another image if he/she is located above and another image if he/she is located below, and the user must always be located a certain distance from the surface.

According to one embodiment, the region (R) has been d with square—based pyramid—shaped es when none of the images assigns a light level different from the first light level. Figure 6 is said to be a schematic figure because those cavities (1.1) in which all the side facets (1.1.1, 1.1.2, 1.1.3, 1.1.4) are ed a first light level is depicted therein with a square. Actually the projection of a low relief inverted pyramid would also show the two diagonals, but this schematic depiction intends to indicate which facets (1.1.1, 1.1.2, 1.1.3, 1.1.4) are shown with a light level different from the first light level. These facets (1.1.1, 1.1.2, 1.1.3, 1.1.4) are those fied with a triangle. If the triangle has its t side upwards inside the square base it must be interpreted that that facet has an inclination different from that which it adopts when it has a first light level.

According to this schematic depiction, each image only s one type of triangle: the one having the larger base above, below at either side. A square will have zero, one, two, three or four triangles where each site associated with a facet will have a second light level if a triangle is depicted.

Figure 7 shows an ed detail of an image of the region (R) with the cavities which have been obtained after applying the motif with four images. In this case, the increased slope in those facets which must show a second light level results in a triangle in the base parallel to the base of the cavity (1.1). _15_

Claims (18)

1. An object comprising a region (R) of its surface suitable for showing a pdurality of images such that each image is observable by a user from a different direction, wherein this region (R) is flat and comprises: 0 a plurality of cavities in low relief rly distributed on the surface of the region (R); 0 each of the cavities shows a plurality of side facets, at 10 least one facet per image, where each facet is associated with either a first light level or a light level different from the first; 0 the facets which determine an image and are ated with the first light level have the same orientation and 15 ation with respect to the surface where the cavity is located; and this orientation is different from the orientation of the facets of another different image.

2. The object according to claim 1, wherein the facets which determine each image and are associated with a light 20 level different from the first have a different inclination with respect to the surface where the cavity is located.

3. The object according to claim 1, wherein the facets which determine each image and are associated with a light level different from the first have a different texture 25 ing in a degree of reflection different from that of the facets ated with a first light level.

4. The object according to claim 1, n the facets which determine each image and are associated with a light level different from the first have at least one transition 30 surface for connecting with the adjacent facets of the same cavity.

5. The object according to claim J. or 4, wherein the cavities in low relief are formed by facets such that if these facets are associated with the first light level, they 35 correspond with the face of a pyramid the base of which is ~16— located on the surface of the region (R) and its apex under said surface.

6. The object according to claim 5, wherein: o the cavities are distributed in rows parallel to an edge or side of the base of the cavity, 0 for a plurality of rows parallel to an edge or side of the base of the cavity, at least the facets of a set of es of one and. the same row .having an inclination associated with a second light level different from the 10 first light level have the same inclination; and, o the inclination of the set of cavities with the same ation belonging to the ent rows varies progressively from row to row and along all the rows.

7. The object according to claim 6, wherein the cluster 15 formed by the sets of cavities which share the same inclination per row and are associated with the second light level determine a pattern or second image.

8. The object according to any one of claims 5 to 7, wherein the base of the pyramid is polygonal and wherein the 20 cavities are distributed such that the bases of the pyramids fit together covering the entire surface of the region.

9. The object ing to any one of claims 5 to 7, n the base of the pyramid is square.

10. The object according to claims 8 and 4, wherein the 25 facets with the greatest inclination associated with a light level different from the first light level have a side common with the base of the pyramid and comprise at least one transition surface with the apex of the pyramid.

11. The object according to claim 10, wherein the 30 tion surface adjacent to the apex of the pyramid has a degree of reflection different from that of the facet with the greatest inclination of which it is a transition surface.

12. The object according to claim 10, n the transition surface adjacent to the apex of the pyramid is flat 35 and parallel to the base of the pyramid. -17...

13. The object according to claim 12, wherein n two adjacent facets associated with different images having a degree of inclination greater than that associated with the first light level a corner transition is established by extending the facets with the greatest inclination and the es parallel to the base adjacent to the apex.

14. A punch comprising a surface complementary to the surface of the region (R) of an object according to any one of claims 1 to 13 intended for generating by pressure said 10 surface suitable for showing the plurality of images.

15. A method for generating a surface in a region of an object suitable for showing a plurality of images such that each image is observable by a user from a ent direction, wherein it ses: 15 0 establishing‘ a configuration. of the e formed. by a plurality of cavities according to any one of claims 1 to 14 or the complementary f, 0 carrying out a laser carving process on the surface ing to the established configuration. 20

16. The method according to claim 15, wherein the object on which the laser carving is carried out is a powder metallurgy steel.

17. The method according to claim 15 or 16, wherein the object on which the laser carving is carried out is a punch, 25 the uration of the surface is the complementary configuration; and said punch is used to generate by pressure the surface suitable for showing a plurality of images in a second object.

18. The method according to claim 15, wherein the image 30 to be depicted is transformed into an image containing two intensity levels.