Methods and ink compositions for invisibly printed security images having multiple authentication features
First Claim
1. A method of marking an article with image indicia for authentication, information, or decoration, the method comprising the steps of:
- providing a plurality of inks that, when printed as image indicia on an article, fluoresce with a color when exposed to excitation energy and are substantially invisible under illumination within the visible spectrum;
separating colors of the image indicia into a plurality of image levels; and
printing each image level of said plurality of image levels in mutual registration on the article using said plurality of inks, wherein said printing is performed using an inkjet printer intended for use with subtractive-color ink, the plurality of inks including red, green and blue additive-color fluorescent inks,wherein said printing is performed using an inkjet printer, the method further comprising the steps of;
converting indicia to be printed to a color negative form; and
providing a set of red, green and blue additive-color inks within said plurality of inks that are complementary, respectively, to cyan, magenta and yellow subtractive-color inks.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An article is marked with image indicia for authentication, information, or decoration by providing a plurality of inks having a plurality of fluorescence colors when exposed to excitation energy, separating colors of the image indicia into a plurality of image levels in accordance with the fluorescence colors of the inks, and printing each image level in mutual registration on the article using the corresponding ink. The image printed with each ink may be substantially invisible under illumination within the visible spectrum. The invisibly printed images have multiple authentication features, including the use of covert UV-fluorescent materials, IR-fluorophores, microparticles, and other chemical taggants. Ink compositions, methods for making the inks, and methods and apparatus for using the inks are also disclosed.
63 Citations
64 Claims
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1. A method of marking an article with image indicia for authentication, information, or decoration, the method comprising the steps of:
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providing a plurality of inks that, when printed as image indicia on an article, fluoresce with a color when exposed to excitation energy and are substantially invisible under illumination within the visible spectrum; separating colors of the image indicia into a plurality of image levels; and printing each image level of said plurality of image levels in mutual registration on the article using said plurality of inks, wherein said printing is performed using an inkjet printer intended for use with subtractive-color ink, the plurality of inks including red, green and blue additive-color fluorescent inks, wherein said printing is performed using an inkjet printer, the method further comprising the steps of; converting indicia to be printed to a color negative form; and providing a set of red, green and blue additive-color inks within said plurality of inks that are complementary, respectively, to cyan, magenta and yellow subtractive-color inks. - 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, 27, 28, 29, 30, 32, 42)
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31. A method of marking an article with image indicia for authentication, information, or decoration, the method comprising the steps of:
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providing a plurality of inkjet inks that, when printed as indicia on an article, fluoresce with a color when exposed to excitation energy and are substantially invisible under illumination within the visible spectrum; converting color indicia to be printed to a color negative form; separating colors of the image indicia into a plurality of image levels; providing an inkjet printer intended for use with subtractive-color ink; and printing each image level of said plurality of image levels in mutual registration on the article using said plurality of inkjet inks and said inkjet printer, the plurality of inks including red, green, and blue additive-color fluorescent inks. - View Dependent Claims (33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 41, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62, 63, 64)
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40. A method of authenticating articles, comprising the steps of:
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marking authentic articles with invisible predetermined full-color image indicia by performing the substeps of; providing a plurality of inkjet inks that, when printed as indicia on the article, fluoresce with a color when exposed to excitation energy and are substantially invisible under illumination within the visible spectrum; converting color indicia to be printed to a color negative form; separating colors of the image indicia into a plurality of image levels; and providing an inkjet printer intended for use with subtractive-color ink; and printing each image level of said plurality of image levels in mutual registration on the article using said plurality of inkjet inks and said inkjet printer, the plurality of inks including red, green, and blue additive-color fluorescent inks; using suitable excitation energy, exposing articles to be authenticated to said excitation energy; and comparing any resultant fluorescent emissive indicia with the predetermined full-color image indicia marked on authentic articles.
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Specification