Visual Physics, LLC

Crane Company

Crane Ab

Crane Security Technologies, Inc.

Jonathan D Gosnell

Samuel M Cape

Gregory R Jordan

Benjamin E Bleiman

Scott Kevin Palm

Jennifer Cowan

Ryan Toole

Paul F Cote

Caroline B Kennedy

Michael J McAllister

Nancy J Gettens

Giles D Prett

Nicholas G Pearson

Kaj Markkus Helminen

Anthony J Zucchero

Timothy W Schneider

Peter Carsten Bailey Widger

Karin Mörck-Hamilton

Pearl N Dickerson

Gunnar Nehls

Kara Zona

Jason Van Gumster

Fredrik Von Blixen-Finecke

Michael Mcallister

A security device () includes arrangements of image icons (), arrangements of refractive image icon focusing elements () and a sealing layer (), wherein the arrangements of refractive image icon focusing elements is disposed above the arrangements of image icons such that a portion of the arrangements of refractive image icon focusing elements projects a synthetic image, such that the arrangements of refractive image icon focusing elements contact the sealing layer along a non-planar boundary. Further, at least one of the arrangements of refractive image icon focusing elements and the sealing layer comprises an organic resin mixture having a first refractive index, and at least one of the arrangements of refractive image icon focusing elements and the sealing layer comprises a low-refractive index material, the low-refractive index material having a second refractive index.

Use of nanoparticles to tune index of refraction of layers of a polymeric matrix to optimize microoptic (MO) focus

A micro-optic security device () includes a planar array of micro-optic focusing elements () and a first arrangement of image icons (), wherein each image icon () of the first arrangement of image icons includes a region of light-cured material. Further, the first arrangement of image icons is visible () through the planar array of micro-optic focusing elements across a first predetermined range of viewing angles relative to the micro-optic security device, and the first arrangement of image icons is not visible () through the planar array of micro-optic focusing elements across a second pre-determined range of viewing angles relative to the micro-optic security device.

Micro-optic security device with absolute registration

A micro-optic security device with zonal color transitions includes a planar array of focusing elements, an image icon layer including a plurality of retaining structures, the plurality of retaining structures defining isolated volumes at a first depth within the image icon layer, a first zone of image icons, the first zone of image icons having a first predefined subset of the plurality of retaining structures, wherein the isolated volumes of retaining structures of the first predefined subset of the plurality of retaining structures contain cured pigmented material of a first color, and a second zone of image icons, the second zone of image icons including a second predefined subset of the plurality of retaining structures, wherein the isolated volumes of retaining structures of the second predefined subset of the plurality of retaining structures contain cured pigmented material of a second color, wherein the second color contrasts with the first color.

Micro-optic security device with zones of color

A security device () includes one or more arrangements of image icons (), one or more arrangements of refractive image icon focusing elements (), and a sealing layer () which includes an organic resin and nanoparticles. Further, the one or more arrangements of refractive image icon focusing elements is disposed above the one or more arrangements of image icons such that a portion of the one or more arrangements of refractive image icon focusing elements forms a synthetic image of a portion of the one or more arrangements of image icons. Still further, the one or more arrangements of refractive image icon focusing elements contact the sealing layer along a non-planar boundary.

A micro-optic security device () includes a planar array of microlenses (), which are configured to focus light along a plurality of focal paths () associated with a viewing angle. The micro-optic security device further includes an icon layer stack () disposed along the plurality of focal paths. The icon layer stack includes a first icon layer () with volumes of cured material of a first color () and volumes of substantially transparent material at locations outside of focal paths of the first range of viewing angles. The icon layer stack also includes a second icon layer () with volumes of substantially transparent cured material at locations along focal paths of the first range of viewing angles, and volumes of cured material of a second color () at locations along focal paths of a second range of viewing angles.

Micro-optic security device with phase aligned image layers

A security device includes an arrangement of image icon focusing elements, wherein each image icon focusing element of the arrangement of image icon focusing elements is associated with a focal path. The device further includes an image icon layer with one or more image icons associated with a first characteristic color and one or more image icons associated with a second characteristic color and one or more regions between the image icons comprising a volume of substantially colorless material. At a first viewing angle, a color is visible through each image icon focusing element, and the color visible through each image icon focusing element at the first viewing angle is based on one or more of the first characteristic color, the second characteristic color, or the substantially colorless material.

A security device includes an image projection system that includes an array of focusing elements () and an array of image icon elements () disposed relative to each other such that a synthetic image is projected by the image projection system. This synthetic image, along with at least one other image functions as a targeting image. As targeting images (″), these images are spatially coordinated such that a reward image (), which is otherwise at least partially hidden, becomes revealed upon the targeting images having a predetermined transformation. This targeting effect functions as a game that attracts the attention of an end-user of high-valued articles of manufacture to which the security device is attached. The security device allows a viewer to actively interact with the security device by trying to turn on the reward image.

Micro-optic security device with interactive dynamic security features

A security document () includes a secure substrate (). The secure substrate includes a viewing side () and a backing side (), and a micro-optic system () providing an optically variable effect (OVE) () on the viewing side. The security document further includes a protective layer (), and a mask layer () disposed between the protective layer and the backing side of the secure substrate.

Fully micro-optic security document

An optical device that produces flicker-like optical effects is provided. The optical device employs directionally cured image icons. Specifically, the optical device is made up of at least one arrangement of image icons formed from one or more cured pigmented materials, and at least one arrangement of optionally embedded focusing elements positioned to form one or more synthetic images of at least a portion of the arrangement(s) of image icons. Some or all of the pigmented material(s) is cured using collimated light directed through the focusing elements toward the arrangement(s) of image icons at one or more angles relative to a surface of the optical device to form directionally cured image icons. The synthetic image(s) of the directionally cured image icons is viewable at the cure angle(s) and therefore visually appears and disappears, or turns on and off, as the viewing angle of the device moves through the cure angle(s).

Optical device that produces flicker-like optical effects

A security device includes an image projection system that includes an array of focusing elements () and an array of image icon elements () disposed relative to each other such that a synthetic image is projected by the image projection system. This synthetic image, along with at least one other image functions as a targeting image. As targeting images (&#x2033;), these images are spatially coordinated such that a reward image (), which is otherwise at least partially hidden, becomes revealed upon the targeting images having a predetermined transformation. This targeting effect functions as a game that attracts the attention of an end-user of high-valued articles of manufacture to which the security device is attached. The security device allows a viewer to actively interact with the security device by trying to turn on the reward image.

An optical device that produces flicker-like optical effects is provided. The inventive device employs directionally cured image icons. Specifically, the optical device is made up of at least one arrangement of image icons formed from one or more cured pigmented materials, and at least one arrangement of optionally embedded focusing elements positioned to form one or more synthetic images of at least a portion of the arrangement(s) of image icons. Some or all of the pigmented material(s) is cured using collimated light directed through the focusing elements toward the arrangement(s) of image icons at one or more angles relative to a surface of the optical device to form directionally cured image icons. The synthetic image(s) of the directionally cured image icons is viewable at the cure angle(s) and therefore visually appears and disappears, or turns on and off, as the viewing angle of the device moves through the cure angle(s).

A process for transferring microstructures to a flexible or rigid final substrate that offers advantages in both speed and precision is provided. The inventive process involves subjecting a transfer film in a continuous roll-to-roll process to the following operations: either forming microstructures on, or transferring microstructures to a surface of the transfer film; and then transferring the microstructures from the transfer film onto a surface of the final substrate. The microstructures are single or multi-layer structures that are made up of: voids in a substantially planar surface, the voids optionally filled or coated with another material; raised areas in a substantially planar surface; or combinations thereof.

Process for transferring microstructures to a final substrate

An optionally transferable optical system with a reduced thickness is provided. The inventive optical system is basically made up of a synthetic image presentation system in which one or more arrangements of structured image icons are substantially in contact with, but not completely embedded within, one or more arrangements of focusing elements. The focusing element and image icon arrangements cooperate to form at least one synthetic image. By way of the subject invention, the requirement for an optical spacer to provide the necessary focal distance between the focusing elements and their associated image icon(s) is removed. As a result, overall system thicknesses are reduced, suitability as a surface-applied authentication system is enabled, and tamper resistance is improved.

Optionally transferable optical system with a reduced thickness

A security device includes an array of image icon elements and an array of image icon focusing elements, wherein the array of image icon elements and the array of image icon focusing elements are disposed relative to each other such that the security device projects a synthetic image along a viewing angle and wherein the security device is configured to physically degrade when exposed to temperatures above an anti-harvesting temperature, the anti-harvesting temperature being lower than a harvesting temperature of a coupling between the security device and a substrate.

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Cumming, GA, United States of America

Jonathan D Gosnell