3m Innovative Properties Company

Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company

Graeme R Mann

Mark F Schulz

Paul D Graham

Brian W Dunne

Thomas Junck

Rick L Naylor

A method and systems for recovering an image and/or information from a document layer(s) is provided. A first light source directs light to the document. A second light source directs light towards a beam splitting mirror which reflects the light towards the document. An image receiver receives the first and second reflected light from the document layer(s). The image receiver passes a signal to a personal computer which processes the received information. Such processing is to establish whether the document includes a retroreflective laminate, a plain polyester laminate, or neither. Additionally, further processing can establish whether the document has been tampered with, altered, or forged.

Security reader for automatic detection of tampering and alteration

A document () is covered by a laminate () comprising a layer of microspheres () over an adhesive layer () covering a source image () such as a photograph, printed matter, or a bar code arranged on a substrate (). Light impinging on the document () is split by the optical properties of the microspheres () and underlying specular reflectors. The remaining light passes through the microspheres (), through the adhesive layer () and strikes the substrate () or source image () on the document (), and is reflected () and scattered (). Alternatively, the laminate () can comprise a plain or clear layer of polyester without microspheres over the adhesive layer (). Light impinging on the laminate () passes through the polyester and laminate () to strike the substrate () or source image () where it is reflected and scattered. A first light source () directs light to the document (). A second light source () directs light towards a beam splitting mirror () which reflects the light to the document (). The light turning properties of the mirror () produce a light source which appears to an image receiver () as being returned from the surface of the document () at an angle of less than 1&#xb0;. The image receiver () passes a signal via line () to a personal computer () which processes the received information. Such processing is to establish whether the document () includes a retroreflective laminate, a plain polyester laminate, or neither. Additionally, further processing can establish whether the document () has been tampered with, altered, or forged.

In one aspect, the invention provides a security laminate comprising a retroreflective layer comprising a plurality of retroreflective microbeads partially embedded in and protruding from a beadbond layer and having image receptive material disposed around the protruding microspheres. In another embodiment, the security laminate further comprises indicia patterns viewable in retroreflective light. In another embodiment, the security laminate is imaged on the image receptive material.

Security laminate

A document ( ) is covered by a laminate ( ) comprising a layer of microspheres ( ) over an adhesive layer ( ) covering a source image ( ) such as a photograph, printed matter, or a bar code arranged on a substrate ( ). Light impinging on the document ( ) is split by the optical properties of the microspheres ( ) and underlying specular reflectors. The remaining light passes through the microspheres ( ), through the adhesive layer ( ) and strikes the substrate ( ) or source image ( ) on the document ( ), and is reflected ( ) and scattered ( ). Alternatively, the laminate ( ) can comprise a plain or clear layer of polyester without microspheres over the adhesive layer ( ). Light impinging on the laminate ( ) passes through the polyester and laminate ( ) to strike the substrate ( ) or source image ( ) where it is reflected and scattered. A first light source ( ) directs light to the document ( ). A second light source ( ) directs light towards a beam splitting mirror ( ) which reflects the light to the document ( ). The light turning properties of the mirror ( ) produce a light source which appears to an image receiver ( ) as being returned from the surface of the document ( ) at an angle of less than 1&deg;. The image receiver ( ) passes a signal via line ( ) to a personal computer ( ) which processes the received information. Such processing is to establish whether the document ( ) includes a retroreflective laminate, a plain polyester laminate, or neither. Additionally, further processing can establish whether the document ( ) has been tampered with, altered, or forged.

A responder assembly for an article inventory control system employs a plurality of sensors for detection of sensitized markers attached to inventory items. By processing signals from each of the plurality of sensors, a detection pattern is provided to determine whether none, one, or more than one marker is present within a zone of sensitivity.

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Engadine, Australia

Graeme R Mann