Optically variable devices, their production and use
First Claim
Patent Images
1. An optically variable device, the device comprising:
- a control element or layer comprising a magnetic material that is permanently or temporarily magnetic, such that a magnetic field emanates from the material;
one or more responsive optical element(s);
the control element or layer and the responsive optical element(s) moveable in the device relative to one another upon application of an external influence upon the device, to change the distance of separation of the control element or layer from the responsive optical element(s), and therefore to change the strength of the magnetic field impinging upon the responsive optical element(s) from the magnetic material of the control element or layer;
the relative movement and/or the change of the strength of the magnetic field impinging upon the responsive optical element(s), causing a change of perceivable or detectable optical properties of the device.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
Disclosed herein are devices that change their appearance and/or physical properties when under an external influence, and methods for their production and use. Such devices may be used as features of any type of items, documents, billboards, posters, display devices, advertisements and other items etc. and may be adapted to include decipherable content. Such devices also afford new techniques for a user to check quickly and easily whether the item is a legitimate or a counterfeit copy, either by hand-manipulation of the device, or with the assistance of an additional screening tool.
12 Citations
26 Claims
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1. An optically variable device, the device comprising:
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a control element or layer comprising a magnetic material that is permanently or temporarily magnetic, such that a magnetic field emanates from the material; one or more responsive optical element(s); the control element or layer and the responsive optical element(s) moveable in the device relative to one another upon application of an external influence upon the device, to change the distance of separation of the control element or layer from the responsive optical element(s), and therefore to change the strength of the magnetic field impinging upon the responsive optical element(s) from the magnetic material of the control element or layer; the relative movement and/or the change of the strength of the magnetic field impinging upon the responsive optical element(s), causing a change of perceivable or detectable optical properties of the device. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26)
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Specification