Patent Application
20190135020
This invention relates to an improved form of optical security device for use in the protection of documents and articles of value from counterfeit and to verify authenticity. More specifically, this invention relates to an optical security device that provides enhanced design capability, improved visual impact, and greater resistance to manufacturing variations.
Micro-optic film materials projecting synthetic images generally comprise: an arrangement of micro-sized image icons; an arrangement of focusing elements (e.g., microlenses, microreflectors); and optionally, a light-transmitting polymeric substrate. The image icon and focusing element arrangements are configured such that when the arrangement of image icons is viewed using the arrangement of focusing elements, one or more synthetic images are projected. These projected images may show a number of different optical effects.
Such film materials may be used as security devices for authentication of banknotes, secure documents and products. For banknotes and secure documents, these materials are typically used in the form of a strip, patch, or thread and can be either partially or completely embedded within the banknote or document, or applied to a surface thereof. For passports or other identification (ID) documents, these materials could be used as a full laminate or inlayed in a surface thereof. For product packaging, these materials are typically used in the form of a label, seal, or tape and are applied to a surface thereof.
One example of a micro-optic security device is known from U.S. Pat. No. 7,738,175, which reveals a micro-optic system that embodies (a) an in-plane image having a boundary and an image area within the boundary that is carried on and visually lies in the plane of a substrate, (b) a control pattern of icons contained within the boundary of the in-plane image, and (c) an array of icon focusing elements. The icon focusing element array is positioned to form at least one synthetically magnified image of the control pattern of icons, the synthetically magnified image providing a limited field of view for viewing the in-plane image operating to modulate the appearance of the in-plane image. In other words, the appearance of the in-plane image visually appears and disappears, or turns on and off, depending upon the viewing angle of the system.
Several drawbacks in this micro-optic system become evident when used in a sealed lens format (i.e., a system utilizing an embedded lens array). First, when the synthetic image is in its “off” state a slight ghost image of the synthetic image may remain visible because of light scattered through or around the focusing optics. These ghost images are especially pronounced in the sealed lens format. Second, the sealed lens format has a relatively high f-number, typically around 2. As will be readily appreciated by one skilled in the field of micro-optics, a higher f-number leads to more rapid movement of synthetic images, but also increases blurriness and the system's sensitivity to manufacturing variations. These drawbacks effectively render this system unsuitable for use in a sealed lens format.
The present invention addresses these drawbacks by providing an optical security device, which comprises:
an optionally embedded array of icon focusing elements;
at least one grayscale in-plane image that visually lies substantially in a plane of a substrate on which the in-plane image is carried; and
a plurality of coextensive (intermingled) control patterns of icons contained on or within the at least one in-plane image forming an icon layer, each control pattern being mapped to areas of the in-plane image having a range of grayscale levels, wherein placement of the control patterns of icons within the in-plane image is determined using one or more control pattern probability distributions associated with each grayscale level within all or part of the in-plane image,
wherein the array of icon focusing elements is positioned to form at least one synthetically magnified image of at least a portion of the icons in each coextensive control pattern of icons, the at least one synthetically magnified image (which intersects with the at least one in-plane image) having one or more dynamic effects, wherein the one or more dynamic effects of the at least one synthetically magnified image are controlled and choreographed by the control patterns of icons.
As the optical security device is tilted the synthetically magnified images demonstrate dynamic optical effects in the form of, for example, dynamic bands of rolling color running through the in-plane image, growing concentric circles, rotating highlights, strobe-like effects, pulsing text, pulsing images, rolling parallel or non-parallel lines, rolling lines that move in opposite directions but at the same rate, rolling lines that move in opposition directions but at different or spatially varying rates, bars of color that spin around a central point like a fan, bars of color that radiate inward or outward from a fixed profile, embossed surfaces, engraved surfaces, as well as animation types of effects such as animated figures, moving text, moving symbols, animated abstract designs that are mathematical or organic in nature, etc. Dynamic optical effects also include those optical effects described in U.S. Pat. No. 7,333,268 to Steenblik et al., U.S. Pat. No. 7,468,842 to Steenblik et al., and U.S. Pat. No. 7,738,175 to Steenblik et al., all of which, as noted above, are fully incorporated by reference as if fully set forth herein.
In an exemplary embodiment, one or more layers of metallization cover an outer surface of the icon layer.
By way of the inventive optical security device, the synthetically magnified image(s) of the in-plane image(s) is always ‘on’. In one exemplary embodiment, as the device is tilted synthetically magnified images in the form of bands of color sweep over the surface of the in-plane image, revealing tremendous detail (i.e., improved visual impact). The bands of color are ‘choreographed’ using the multiple control patterns of icons. The ‘ghost image’, which is troublesome for the micro-optic system of U.S. Pat. No. 7,738,175, helps the optical effects of the present invention to be more convincing by providing a silhouette of the in-plane image at every tilt angle that can always be seen. Also, because the image never turns ‘off’, and is visually defined by the choreographed optical effects (e.g., bands of rolling color), the in-plane image may be made much larger thereby providing enhanced design capability. In addition, the inventive device is less sensitive to manufacturing variations. While any such manufacturing variation may serve to change the angle and shape of the synthetic images, the relative choreography will remain the same, and thus the effect will not be disturbed to the same extent as the prior art system.
The present invention also provides a method for making the optical security device described above, the method comprising:
In an exemplary embodiment of the inventive optical security device, the device includes a grayscale in-plane image, a plurality of control patterns of icons contained within the in-plane image thereby forming an icon layer, and an array of icon focusing elements positioned to form at least one synthetically magnified image of the control patterns of icons. The method for forming the icon layer in this exemplary embodiment comprises: selecting a grayscale in-plane image; and using the grayscale in-plane image to drive placement of the control patterns of icons within the in-plane image to form the icon layer.
In an exemplary embodiment, the inventive method comprises:
In another exemplary embodiment of the inventive optical security device, the device includes a sequence of grayscale in-plane images, a set of control patterns of icons for each in-plane image, wherein each set of control patterns of icons is contained within its respective in-plane image, which together form an icon layer, and an array of icon focusing elements positioned to form an animation of the synthetically magnified images of the control patterns of icons. The method for forming the icon layer in this exemplary embodiment comprises: selecting a sequence of grayscale in-plane images, selecting a set of control patterns of icons for each grayscale in-plane image; and using the grayscale in-plane images to drive placement of its respective control patterns of icons within the in-plane image to together form the icon layer.
In an exemplary embodiment, the inventive method comprises:
The present invention further provides a method for increasing design space, reducing sensitivity to manufacturing variations, and reducing blurriness of images formed by an optical security device, the optical security device including at least one in-plane image, a plurality of control patterns of icons contained within the in-plane image forming an icon layer, and an array of icon focusing elements positioned to form at least one synthetically magnified image of the control patterns of icons, the method comprising: using at least one grayscale in-plane image; and using coordinated control patterns of icons on or within the in-plane image to control and choreograph one or more dynamic effects of the synthetically magnified images.
The present invention further provides sheet materials and base platforms that are made from or employ the inventive optical security device, as well as documents made from these materials.
In an exemplary embodiment, the inventive optical security device is a micro-optic film material such as an ultra-thin (e.g., a thickness ranging from about 1 to about 10 microns), sealed lens structure for use in banknotes.
In another exemplary embodiment, the inventive optical security device is a sealed lens polycarbonate inlay for base platforms used in the manufacture of plastic passports.
Other features and advantages of the invention will be apparent to one of ordinary skill from the following detailed description and accompanying drawings.
Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. All publications, patent applications, patents and other references mentioned herein are incorporated by reference in their entirety. In case of conflict, the present specification, including definitions, will control. In addition, the materials, methods/processes, and examples are illustrative only and not intended to be limiting.
The present disclosure may be better understood with reference to the following drawings. Components in the drawings are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon clearly illustrating the principles of the present disclosure. While exemplary embodiments are disclosed in connection with the drawings, there is no intent to limit the present disclosure to the embodiment or embodiments disclosed herein. On the contrary, the intent is to cover all alternatives, modifications and equivalents.
Particular features of the disclosed invention are illustrated by reference to the accompanying drawings in which:
By way of the optical security device of the present invention, a new platform for giving very detailed images is provided. As mentioned above, the inventive device provides enhanced design capability, improved visual impact, and greater resistance to manufacturing variations.
The two exemplary embodiments of the inventive optical security device described above will now be depicted in more detail below in conjunction with the drawings.
The in-plane image of the inventive optical security device is an image that has some visual boundary, pattern, or structure that visually lies substantially in the plane of the substrate on which or in which the in-plane image is carried.
In
When forming the icon layer of the inventive optical security device, a single grayscale image (such as that shown in
Next, as best shown in
A numerical range is then selected to represent the colors black and white and the various levels of gray in between black and white. Some methods map black to 0 and white to 255, and the levels of gray to the integers in between (e.g., in 8-bit grayscale images), while some methods use larger ranges of numbers (e.g., in 16 or 32 bit grayscale images). In the present exemplary embodiment, however, for simplicity, 0 is used for black and 1 is used for white and the continuum of real numbers in between 0 and 1 is used to represent the various levels of gray.
The level of grayscale at the location of each cell in the grayscale image 10 is then determined. For example, and as best shown in
In
Each cell is then assigned a number which represents the determined level of grayscale and which falls within the selected numerical range (e.g., 0-1). This assigned number is referred to as the cell's grayscale value.
As previously noted, the coextensive control patterns of icons are contained on or within the in-plane image(s) forming an icon layer, with each control pattern containing icons mapped to areas of the in-plane image that fall within a range of grayscale levels (e.g., a grayscale level between 0 (black) and 0.1667).
Once each cell in the tiling 16 has been assigned a grayscale value (and accordingly each possible grayscale value has been determined), a control pattern probability distribution is specified, which serves to assign a range of random numbers to each control pattern. Each cell is then provided with a random number that falls with the selected numerical range (e.g., 0-1) using a RNG.
Once a cell's random number is selected and the grayscale value of that cell is known, a particular control pattern for that particular cell can be assigned. The control pattern probability distribution effectively sets the probability that a particular control pattern in the control pattern palette will be used to fill a particular cell.
An example of a control pattern distribution is shown in
By way of example, for a cell whose grayscale value is 1.0, this would correspond to a point along the distribution where the probability that Control Pattern A should be chosen is 100%, the probability that Control Pattern B should be chosen is 0%, and the probability that Control Pattern C should be chosen is 0%. This is because all of the random numbers between 0 and 1 will correspond to control pattern A.
By way of further example, for a cell whose grayscale value is 0.7, a random number chosen between 0 and 0.4 will correspond to that particular cell being filled with Control Pattern A, while a random number chosen between 0.4 and 1.0 will correspond to that particular cell being filled with Control Pattern B. There is no possibility for this cell to be filled with Control Pattern C.
By way of yet a further example, for a cell whose grayscale value is 0.25, a random number between 0 and 0.5 will correspond to that particular cell being filled with Control Pattern C, while a random number chosen between 0.5 and 1.0 will correspond to that particular cell being filled with Control Pattern B. In other words, there is a 50% probability that the cell will be filled with Control Pattern C and a 50% probability that the cell will be filled with Control Pattern B.
There is no practical limit on the definition of the control pattern probability distribution, which is simply a mathematical construct that connects a random number to the choice of control pattern. The control pattern distribution can adjust many different aspects of the dynamic optical effects of the subject invention, such as, for example, more rapid or slower transition between control patterns, and multiple control patterns visible simultaneously. In addition, and as alluded to above, different portions of the in-plane image may have different control pattern distributions and different collections or palettes of control patterns. This would allow some portions of the in-plane image to be activated with left-right tilting, while other portions are activated with towards-away tilting, and yet other portions to be activated regardless of the direction of tilt. In the present exemplary embodiment, the primary purpose of the control pattern distribution is to automatically ‘dither’ or smooth the boundaries between the parts of the grayscale image that would be filled with different control patterns of icons. Because the control pattern distribution provides a probabilistic means by which the control patterns of icons are chosen, the areas of the in-plane image that are assigned to a given control pattern need not be sharply defined. Instead, there can be smooth transition from one control pattern's area to the next.
Sharp boundaries can, however, be made to exist through proper definition of the control pattern probability distribution. A control pattern distribution that would provide sharp transition from one control pattern to the next is shown in
The next step in the inventive method for forming an icon layer of an optical security device is filling each cell with its determined control pattern of icons.
As previously indicated, the dynamic effects of the synthetically magnified images generated by the inventive optical security device are controlled and choreographed by the control patterns of icons. More specifically, the choreography of these images is prescribed by the relative phasing of the control patterns and by the control pattern distribution, in addition to the nature of the grayscale in-plane image.
Referring now to
As shown in
It is noted here that there are numerous other ways of coordinating the control patterns to each other. For example, the control patterns could have an intentionally coordinated ‘starting point’ and fall along different grids.
While six (6) control patterns are shown in
Referring now to
The collective group of all of the control patterns shown in
In
Because the synthetic images shown in
In
The control pattern distribution 32 shown in
The control pattern distribution 36 shown in
In
Referring to the ‘frames’ of the animation offered by these exemplary embodiments of the inventive optical security device, which are shown in
As is evident from the above discussion, the dynamic optical effects demonstrated by the present invention are determined by the relative phasing of the control patterns and by the control pattern distribution, in addition to the nature of the grayscale in-plane image.
In
In another exemplary embodiment of the inventive optical security device, more than one grayscale image is used, which allows for the animation of the synthetically magnified images. In this embodiment, each grayscale image is assigned a column, or “set” of control patterns of icons. The method for forming the icon layer in this exemplary embodiment is described above, with the selection of control patterns of icons being carried out for each grayscale image simultaneously, forming an overlay of the results of a plurality of grayscale images.
In the example shown in
In this example, the sets of control patterns of icons can be coordinated such that there is one effect when the device is tilted towards-away (due to the variation within a set of control patterns of icons) and a different effect when the device is tilted right-left or left-right (due to the variation among the sets of control patterns of icons).
Generally speaking, there is no limit to the number of sets of control patterns of icons (equivalently the number grayscale in-plane images), or the number of control patterns within the set. This is due to the fact that the variation within either the horizontal or vertical direction can be continuous and can be based off of the continuum of time (for “frames” of animation), or the continuum of grayscale (equivalently, the real numbers on a range (e.g., [0,1])).
Although not a required feature, the icons shown and described herein are rather simple in design, adopting the shape of simple geometric shapes (e.g., circles, dots, squares, rectangles, stripes, bars, etc.) and lines (e.g., horizontal, vertical, or diagonal lines).
The icons may adopt any physical form and in one exemplary embodiment are microstructured icons (i.e., icons having a physical relief). In a preferred embodiment the microstructured icons are in the form of:
In one such embodiment, the microstructured icons are in the form of voids or recesses in a polymeric substrate, or their inverse shaped posts, with the voids (or recesses) or regions surrounding the shaped posts optionally filled with a contrasting substance such as dyes, coloring agents, pigments, powdered materials, inks, powdered minerals, metal materials and particles, magnetic materials and particles, magnetized materials and particles, magnetically reactive materials and particles, phosphors, liquid crystals, liquid crystal polymers, carbon black or other light absorbing materials, titanium dioxide or other light scattering materials, photonic crystals, non-linear crystals, nanoparticles, nanotubes, buckeyballs, buckeytubes, organic materials, pearlescent materials, powdered pearls, multilayer interference materials, opalescent materials, iridescent materials, low refractive index materials or powders, high refractive index materials or powders, diamond powder, structural color materials, polarizing materials, polarization rotating materials, fluorescent materials, phosphorescent materials, thermochromic materials, piezochromic materials, photochromic materials, tribolumenscent materials, electroluminescent materials, electrochromic materials, magnetochromic materials and particles, radioactive materials, radioactivatable materials, electret charge separation materials, and combinations thereof. Examples of suitable icons are also disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 7,333,268 to Steenblik et al., U.S. Pat. No. 7,468,842 to Steenblik et al., and U.S. Pat. No. 7,738,175 to Steenblik et al., all of which, as noted above, are fully incorporated by reference as if fully set forth herein.
The icon layer of the inventive optical security device may have one or more layers of metallization applied to an outer surface thereof. The resulting effect is like an anisotropic lighting effect on metal, which may be useful for select applications.
The optionally embedded array of icon focusing elements is positioned to form at least one synthetically magnified image of at least a portion of the icons in each coextensive control pattern of icons. As the optical security device is tilted the synthetically magnified image of the in-plane image appears to have one or more dynamic optical effects (e.g., dynamic bands of rolling color running through it, growing concentric circles, rotating highlights, strobe-like effects). Upon proper placement of an icon focusing element array over the ‘filled’ in-plane image, one or more synthetically magnified images are projected, the dynamic optical effects of which are controlled and choreographed by the control patterns of icons.
The icon focusing elements used in the practice of the present invention are not limited and include, but are not limited to, cylindrical and non-cylindrical refractive, reflective, and hybrid refractive/reflective focusing elements.
In an exemplary embodiment, the focusing elements are non-cylindrical convex or concave refractive microlenses having a spheric or aspheric surface. Aspheric surfaces include conical, elliptical, parabolic, and other profiles. These lenses may have circular, oval, or polygonal (e.g., hexagonal, substantially hexagonal, square, substantially square) base geometries, and may be arranged in regular, irregular, or random, one- or two-dimensional arrays. In a preferred embodiment, the microlenses are aspheric concave or convex lenses having polygonal (e.g., hexagonal) base geometries that are arranged in a regular, two-dimensional array on a substrate or light-transmitting polymer film.
The focusing elements, in one such exemplary embodiment, have preferred widths (in the case of cylindrical lenses) and base diameters (in the case of non-cylindrical lenses) of less than or equal to 1 millimeter including (but not limited to) widths/base diameters: ranging from about 200 to about 500 microns; and ranging from about 50 to about 199 microns, preferred focal lengths of less than or equal to 1 millimeter including (but not limited to) the sub-ranges noted above, and preferred f-numbers of less than or equal to 10 (more preferably, less than or equal to 6. In another contemplated embodiment, the focusing elements have preferred widths/base diameters of less than about 50 microns (more preferably, less than about 45 microns, and most preferably, from about 10 to about 40 microns), preferred focal lengths of less than about 50 microns (more preferably, less than about 45 microns, and most preferably, from about 10 to about 30 microns), and preferred f-numbers of less than or equal to 10 (more preferably, less than or equal to 6). In yet another contemplated embodiment, the focusing elements are cylindrical or lenticular lenses that are much larger than the lenses described above with no upper limit on lens width.
As alluded to above, the array of icon focusing elements used in the inventive optical security device may constitute an array of exposed icon focusing elements (e.g., exposed refractive microlenses), or may constitute an array of embedded icon focusing elements (e.g., embedded microlenses), the embedding layer constituting an outermost layer of the optical security device.
Although not required by the present invention, optical separation between the array of focusing elements and the control patterns of icons may be achieved using one or more optical spacers. In one such embodiment, an optical spacer is bonded to the focusing element layer. In another embodiment, an optical spacer may be formed as a part of the focusing element layer, an optical spacer may be formed during manufacture independently from the other layers, or the thickness of the focusing element layer increased to allow the layer to be free standing. In yet another embodiment, the optical spacer is bonded to another optical spacer.
The optical spacer may be formed using one or more essentially colorless materials including, but not limited to, polymers such as polycarbonate, polyester, polyethylene, polyethylene napthalate, polyethylene terephthalate, polypropylene, polyvinylidene chloride, and the like.
In other contemplated embodiments of the present invention, the optical security device does not employ an optical spacer. In one such embodiment, the optical security device is an optionally transferable security device with a reduced thickness (“thin construction”), which basically comprises an icon layer substantially in contact with an array of optionally embedded icon focusing elements.
The inventive optical security device may be prepared (to the extent not inconsistent with the teachings of the present invention) in accordance with the materials, methods and techniques disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 7,333,268 to Steenblik et al., U.S. Pat. No. 7,468,842 to Steenblik et al., U.S. Pat. No. 7,738,175 to Steenblik et al., and U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2010/0308571 A1 to Steenblik et al., all of which are fully incorporated herein by reference as if fully set forth herein. As described in these references, arrays of focusing elements and image icons can be formed from a variety of materials such as substantially transparent or clear, colored or colorless polymers such as acrylics, acrylated polyesters, acrylated urethanes, epoxies, polycarbonates, polypropylenes, polyesters, urethanes, and the like, using a multiplicity of methods that are known in the art of micro-optic and microstructure replication, including extrusion (e.g., extrusion embossing, soft embossing), radiation cured casting, and injection molding, reaction injection molding, and reaction casting. High refractive index, colored or colorless materials having refractive indices (at 589 nm, 20° C.) of more than 1.5, 1.6, 1.7, or higher, such as those described in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. US 2010/0109317 A1 to Hoffmuller et al., may also be used. As also described, embedding layers can be prepared using adhesives, gels, glues, lacquers, liquids, molded or coated polymers, polymers or other materials containing organic or metallic dispersions, etc.
As noted above, the optical security device of the present invention may be used in the form of sheet materials and base platforms that are made from or employ the inventive optical security device, as well as documents made from these materials. For example, the inventive device may take the form of a security strip, thread, patch, overlay, or inlay that is mounted to a surface of, or at least partially embedded within a fibrous or non-fibrous sheet material (e.g., banknote, passport, ID card, credit card, label), or commercial product (e.g., optical disks, CDs, DVDs, packages of medical drugs). The inventive device may also be used in the form of a standalone product, or in the form of a non-fibrous sheet material for use in making, for example, banknotes, passports, and the like, or it may adopt a thicker, more robust form for use as, for example, a base platform for an ID card, high value or other security document.
In one such exemplary embodiment, the inventive device is a micro-optic film material such as an ultra-thin, sealed lens structure for use in banknotes, while in another such exemplary embodiment; the inventive device is a sealed lens polycarbonate inlay for base platforms used in the manufacture of plastic passports.
While various embodiments of the present invention have been described above it should be understood that they have been presented by way of example only, and not limitation. Thus, the breadth and scope of the present invention should not be limited by any of the exemplary embodiments.
This application is a continuation of application Ser. No. 14/772,563, now patent Ser. No. 10/173,453, which is the National Stage of International Application No. PCT/US2014/028192, filed Mar. 14, 2014, which claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/791,695, filed Mar. 15, 2013, the disclosures of which are herein incorporated by reference in their entirety.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 61791695 | Mar 2013 | US |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parent | 14772563 | Sep 2015 | US |
| Child | 16241727 | US |
