Higher Resolution Leads to Improved Imaging Options

Colorado-based Lumenco Inc is a development-stage company founded by Mark Raymond and Hector Porras in 2012. The company has developed micro-optics technologies for three primary markets: light management, currency anti-counterfeiting and brand identity – which is handled through its subsidiary, NanoPixel®. It is now looking to take the next step in improving imaging options for its clients.

On the back of Lumenco’s micro- optics developments, the company has generated a large IP portfolio with patents in light diffusion and management, anti- counterfeiting, micro mirror reflectors and ultra-lightweight electromagnetic shielding for aircrafts and aerospace.

Central to improving the imagery created by its micro-optics, Lumenco’s co-founder and CEO Mark Raymond argues that increasing the resolution is key to improving detail and the complexity of the optical effects.

‘We realised that to make substantial improvements over what we have already achieved we would need to develop a new technique with a significantly higher resolution’, he said. ‘The resolution of the new technique is about 25,000 dpi. More importantly, this is a real 25,000 dpi, not an interpolated number and this is net after any dot gain. Further, the new technology utilises a new system of pixel mapping across four to nine lenses and is not a magnifying moiré. By accomplishing this, the printed pixels can be single or duplicated as necessary, increasing the data space by at least 4X.’ 

But simply increasing the resolution of an imaging system is not a guarantee of superior imaging features, as Mark went on to explain. ‘With a traditional lens canvas of about 570 square microns, there is a limited amount of space. By increasing that canvas to over 2,300 square microns and still using 25,000 dpi, many more detailed and complex effects are possible. This requires a complex algorithm developed out of a ray tracing programme and is patent pending.’ 

The new approach also uses a multiple lens interlacing technique where frames can be repeated with larger overall pixels, making the image clearer and with more contrast.

Mark further explained: ‘also, since ink cavities are not ‘filled’ using our new mesa print technology, the printing process lends itself to better dot gain control and less image ghosting’.

Plus, in the context of using a flat ‘no profile’ lens, the lens size must be reduced to about 10 microns,’ he continued, ‘To utilise 400 image frames the pixels would need to be about 500 nm or roughly 50,000 dpi. While possible with pre-existing Lumenco technology, this is difficult. However, with the multiple lens interlacing the ‘real estate’ under the lenses becomes about 400 square microns – which makes 400 image frames quite viable.’ 

Mark went on to set out what processes are involved, from capturing initial images through to application onto the finished substrate, stating that digital images can be used, and even video images. Lumenco has been successful in producing a five second video with this process at a 25-micron thickness. Although, in practice any origination source can be used, the higher the quality of the input, the better the outcome.

On closer inspection, the technology is not just one technology, but several – as Mark clarified. ‘The interlacing method here is for the moment called Multiple Lens Pixel Placement (MLP). Granted, we need a better name for this! The printing technology is called Mesa Print technology (MPT). Also needs a better name. The basis of the technology is the fact that we do not use ink cavities for printing’.

In addition to the above, Lumenco states that it has written various conversion software packages to process all types of images (grayscale and video) in these systems, as well as proprietary imaging systems.

To help demonstrate the results of the new technology, Lumenco has prepared two unlisted YouTube videos.

For further details please contact: Andrew Machnicki – [email protected].