Micro-optic security and image presentation system presenting a synthetically magnified image that appears to lie below a given plane
DC CAFCFirst Claim
1. A synthetic magnification micro-optic system comprising:
- (a) an array of image icons with a substantially regular array spacing between a substantial number of image icons within the image icon array, the array spacing measured on, or in the direction of, a chosen axis of the image icon array; and
(b) an array of image icon focusing elements with an array spacing between focusing elements within at least a portion of the focusing element array, the array spacing measured on, or in the direction of, an axis of the focusing element array that corresponds to the chosen axis of the image icon array, wherein the array of image icon focusing elements is disposed a substantially uniform distance from the array of image icons and forms at least one synthetically magnified image of at least a portion of the image icons,wherein the ratio of (i) the array spacing between image icons for forming one synthetically magnified image within at least a portion of the array of image icons to (ii) the array spacing between focusing elements within at least a portion of the array of image icon focusing elements, is less than 1, the at least one synthetically magnified image thereby appearing to lie below a given plane,wherein the system has a thickness of less than 50 microns, or image icon focusing elements having an effective base diameter of less than 50 microns, or both.
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Abstract
A film material utilizing a regular two-dimensional array of non-cylindrical lenses to enlarge micro-images, called icons, to form a synthetically magnified image through the united performance of a multiplicity of individual lens/icon image systems. The synthetic magnification micro-optic system includes one or more optical spacers (5), a micro-image formed of a periodic planar array of a plurality of image icons (4) having an axis of symmetry about at least one of its planar axes and positioned on or next to the optical spacer (5), and a periodic planar array of image icon focusing elements (1) having an axis of symmetry about at least one of its planar axes, the axis of symmetry being the same planar axis as that of the micro-image planar array (4). A number of distinctive visual effects, such as three-dimensional and motion effects, can be provided by the present system.
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Citations
194 Claims
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1. A synthetic magnification micro-optic system comprising:
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(a) an array of image icons with a substantially regular array spacing between a substantial number of image icons within the image icon array, the array spacing measured on, or in the direction of, a chosen axis of the image icon array; and (b) an array of image icon focusing elements with an array spacing between focusing elements within at least a portion of the focusing element array, the array spacing measured on, or in the direction of, an axis of the focusing element array that corresponds to the chosen axis of the image icon array, wherein the array of image icon focusing elements is disposed a substantially uniform distance from the array of image icons and forms at least one synthetically magnified image of at least a portion of the image icons, wherein the ratio of (i) the array spacing between image icons for forming one synthetically magnified image within at least a portion of the array of image icons to (ii) the array spacing between focusing elements within at least a portion of the array of image icon focusing elements, is less than 1, the at least one synthetically magnified image thereby appearing to lie below a given plane, wherein the system has a thickness of less than 50 microns, or image icon focusing elements having an effective base diameter of less than 50 microns, or both. - 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, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66, 67, 68, 69, 70)
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71. A synthetic magnification micro-optic system, which comprises:
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(a) an array of image icons; and (b) an array of image icon focusing elements, the array of image icon focusing elements being disposed a substantially uniform distance from the array of image icons and forming at least one synthetically magnified image of at least a portion of the image icons, wherein, at least a portion of the image icons are arranged in relation to at least a portion of the focusing elements in a manner such that the at least one synthetically magnified image appears to lie below a given plane, the image icon focusing elements having an effective base diameter of less than 50 microns, wherein the at least one synthetically magnified image morphs into at least one other synthetically magnified image as the system is rotated or viewed from different viewpoints.
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72. A synthetic magnification micro-optic system, which comprises:
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(a) an array of image icons; and (b) an array of image icon focusing elements, the array of image icon focusing elements being disposed a substantially uniform distance from the array of image icons and forming at least one synthetically magnified image of at least a portion of the image icons, wherein, at least a portion of the image icons are arranged in relation to at least a portion of the focusing elements in a manner such that the at least one synthetically magnified image appears to lie below a given plane, the image icon focusing elements having an effective base diameter of less than 50 microns, wherein the system has a plurality of arrays of image icons at different depths within the system, the focusing elements having differing focal lengths for focusing at the different depths of the plurality of arrays of image icons.
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73. A synthetic magnification micro-optic system, which comprises:
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(a) an array of image icons; and (b) an array of image icon focusing elements, the array of image icon focusing elements being disposed a substantially uniform distance from the array of image icons and forming at least one synthetically magnified image of at least a portion of the image icons, wherein, at least a portion of the image icons are arranged in relation to at least a portion of the focusing elements in a manner such that the at least one synthetically magnified image appears to lie below a given plane, the image icon focusing elements having an effective base diameter of less than 50 microns, wherein the system includes a second array of focusing elements placed substantially parallel to a side of the array of image icons opposite the array of focusing elements. - View Dependent Claims (74)
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75. A method of producing a synthetic magnification micro-optic system, comprising:
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(a) providing an array of image icons with a substantially regular array spacing between a substantial number of image icons within the image icon array, the array spacing measured on, or in the direction of, a chosen axis of the image icon array; (b) providing an array of image icon focusing elements with an array spacing between focusing elements within at least a portion of the focusing element array, the array spacing measured on, or in the direction of, an axis of the focusing element array that corresponds to the chosen axis of the image icon array; and (c) disposing the array of image icon focusing elements a substantially uniform distance from the array of image icons such that the image icon focusing elements form at least one synthetically magnified image of at least a portion of the image icons, wherein the ratio of (i) the array spacing between image icons for forming one synthetically magnified image within at least a portion of the array of image icons to (ii) the array spacing between focusing elements within at least a portion of the array of image icon focusing elements, is less than 1, the at least one synthetically magnified image thereby appearing to lie below a given plane, wherein the system has a thickness of less than 50 microns, or image icon focusing elements having an effective base diameter of less than 50 microns, or both. - View Dependent Claims (76, 77, 78, 79, 80, 81, 82, 83, 84, 85, 86, 87, 88, 89, 90, 91, 92, 93, 94, 95, 96, 97, 98, 99, 100, 101, 102, 103, 104, 105, 106, 107, 108, 109, 110, 111, 112, 113, 114, 115, 116, 117, 118, 119, 120, 121, 122, 123, 124, 125, 126, 127, 128, 129, 130, 131, 132, 133, 134, 135, 136, 137)
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138. A synthetic magnification micro-optic system, which comprises:
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(a) an array of image icons; and (b) an array of image icon focusing elements, the array of image icon focusing elements being disposed a substantially uniform distance from the array of image icons and forming at least one synthetically magnified image of at least a portion of the image icons, wherein, at least a portion of the image icons are arranged in relation to at least a portion of the focusing elements in a manner such that the at least one synthetically magnified image appears to lie below a given plane, the image icon focusing elements having an effective base diameter of less than 50 microns, wherein the image icon focusing elements are polygonal base multi-zonal focusing elements.
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139. A synthetic magnification micro-optic system, which comprises:
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(a) an array of image icons; and (b) an array of image icon focusing elements, the array of image icon focusing elements being disposed a substantially uniform distance from the array of image icons and forming at least one synthetically magnified image of at least a portion of the image icons, wherein, at least a portion of the image icons are arranged in relation to at least a portion of the focusing elements in a manner such that the at least one synthetically magnified image appears to lie below a given plane, the image icon focusing elements having an effective base diameter of less than 50 microns, wherein the focusing elements provide an enlarged field of view over the width of an associated image icon so that the peripheral edges of the associated image icon do not drop out of view.
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140. A synthetic magnification micro-optic system, which comprises:
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(a) an array of image icons; and (b) an array of image icon focusing elements, the array of image icon focusing elements being disposed a substantially uniform distance from the array of image icons and forming at least one synthetically magnified image of at least a portion of the image icons, wherein, at least a portion of the image icons are arranged in relation to at least a portion of the focusing elements in a manner such that the at least one synthetically magnified image appears to lie below a given plane, the image icon focusing elements having an effective base diameter of less than 50 microns, wherein the system is protected by a sealing or obscuring layer, the sealing or obscuring layer being applied to the side of the array of image icons opposite the array of focusing elements, the sealing or obscuring layer having at least a portion that is transparent, translucent, tinted, pigmented, opaque, metallic, magnetic, or optically variable, wherein the sealing or obscuring layer includes optical effects.
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141. A synthetic magnification micro-optic system, which comprises:
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(a) an array of image icons; and (b) an array of image icon focusing elements, the array of image icon focusing elements being disposed a substantially uniform distance from the array of image icons and forming at least one synthetically magnified image of at least a portion of the image icons, wherein, at least a portion of the image icons are arranged in relation to at least a portion of the focusing elements in a manner such that the at least one synthetically magnified image appears to lie below a given plane, the image icon focusing elements having an effective base diameter of less than 50 microns, wherein upon illumination of the system the at least one synthetically magnified image appears to have a shadow.
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142. A synthetic magnification micro-optic system, which comprises:
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(a) an array of image icons; and (b) an array of image icon focusing elements, the array of image icon focusing elements being disposed a substantially uniform distance from the array of image icons and forming at least one synthetically magnified image of at least a portion of the image icons, wherein, at least a portion of the image icons are arranged in relation to at least a portion of the focusing elements in a manner such that the at least one synthetically magnified image appears to lie below a given plane, the image icon focusing elements having an effective base diameter of less than 50 microns, wherein the at least one synthetically magnified image further appears to transform from one or more of a form, shape, size or color to another of a form, shape, size or color.
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143. A synthetic magnification micro-optic system, which comprises:
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(a) an array of image icons; and (b) an array of image icon focusing elements, the array of image icon focusing elements being disposed a substantially uniform distance from the array of image icons and forming at least one synthetically magnified image of at least a portion of the image icons, wherein, at least a portion of the image icons are arranged in relation to at least a portion of the focusing elements in a manner such that the at least one synthetically magnified image appears to lie below a given plane, the image icon focusing elements having an effective base diameter of less than 50 microns, wherein the at least one synthetically magnified image further appears to transform from one or more of a form, shape, size or color to another of a form, shape, size or color, and wherein the transformation is produced by scale distortions in either or both the array of image icons and the array of focusing elements.
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144. A synthetic magnification micro-optic system, which comprises:
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(a) an array of image icons; and (b) an array of image icon focusing elements, the array of image icon focusing elements being disposed a substantially uniform distance from the array of image icons and forming at least one synthetically magnified image of at least a portion of the image icons, wherein, at least a portion of the image icons are arranged in relation to at least a portion of the focusing elements in a manner such that the at least one synthetically magnified image appears to lie below a given plane, the image icon focusing elements having an effective base diameter of less than 50 microns, wherein the at least one synthetically magnified image further appears to transform from one or more of a form, shape, size or color to another of a form, shape, size or color, and wherein the transformation is produced by incorporating spatially varying information in the image icon array.
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145. A synthetic magnification micro-optic system, which comprises:
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(a) an array of image icons; and (b) an array of image icon focusing elements, the array of image icon focusing elements being disposed a substantially uniform distance from the array of image icons and forming at least one synthetically magnified image of at least a portion of the image icons, wherein, at least a portion of the image icons are arranged in relation to at least a portion of the focusing elements in a manner such that the at least one synthetically magnified image appears to lie below a given plane, the image icon focusing elements having an effective base diameter of less than 50 microns, wherein the at least one synthetically magnified image appears to have one or more additional effects selected from the group of appearing to lie on a spatial plane deeper than the system, appearing to lie on a spatial plane above the system, appearing to move between a spatial plane deeper than the system and a spatial plane above the system upon rotation of the system about an axis that intersects the plane of the system, appearing to move in a direction parallel to an axis of tilt of the system upon tilting the system about an axis substantially parallel to the plane of the system, appearing to transform from one or more of a form, shape, size or color to another of a form, shape, size or color, and appearing to be three dimensional, wherein the two or more effects appear on different image planes. - View Dependent Claims (146)
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147. A synthetic magnification micro-optic system, which comprises:
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(a) an array of image icons; and (b) an array of image icon focusing elements, the array of image icon focusing elements being disposed a substantially uniform distance from the array of image icons and forming at least one synthetically magnified image of at least a portion of the image icons, wherein, at least a portion of the image icons are arranged in relation to at least a portion of the focusing elements in a manner such that the at least one synthetically magnified image appears to lie below a given plane, the image icon focusing elements having an effective base diameter of less than 50 microns, wherein the focusing elements provide vertical blurring of a central focal zone of the focusing elements.
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148. A synthetic magnification micro-optic system, which comprises:
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(a) an array of image icons; and (b) an array of image icon focusing elements, the array of image icon focusing elements being disposed a substantially uniform distance from the array of image icons and forming at least one synthetically magnified image of at least a portion of the image icons, wherein, at least a portion of the image icons are arranged in relation to at least a portion of the focusing elements in a manner such that the at least one synthetically magnified image appears to lie below a given plane, the image icon focusing elements having an effective base diameter of less than 50 microns, wherein the system further includes a plurality of image icon arrays spaced a plurality of distances from the array of image icon focusing elements, wherein the array of image icon focusing elements includes focusing elements having a plurality of focal lengths corresponding to the various spaced distances of the image icon arrays.
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149. A synthetic magnification micro-optic system, which comprises:
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(a) an array of image icons; and (b) an array of image icon focusing elements, the array of image icon focusing elements being disposed a substantially uniform distance from the array of image icons and forming at least one synthetically magnified image of at least a portion of the image icons, wherein, at least a portion of the image icons are arranged in relation to at least a portion of the focusing elements in a manner such that the at least one synthetically magnified image appears to lie below a given plane, the image icon focusing elements having an effective base diameter of less than 50 microns, wherein the focusing elements include pinhole optics.
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150. A synthetic magnification micro-optic system, which comprises:
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(a) an array of image icons; and (b) an array of image icon focusing elements, the array of image icon focusing elements being disposed a substantially uniform distance from the array of image icons and forming at least one synthetically magnified image of at least a portion of the image icons, wherein, at least a portion of the image icons are arranged in relation to at least a portion of the focusing elements in a manner such that the at least one synthetically magnified image appears to lie below a given plane, the image icon focusing elements having an effective base diameter of less than 50 microns, wherein the system further includes a surface layer that must be removed for the at least one synthetically magnified image to be viewed.
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151. A method of producing a synthetic magnification micro-optic system, which comprises:
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(a) providing an array of image icons; (b) providing an array of image icon focusing elements; and (c) disposing the array of image icon focusing elements a substantially uniform distance from the array of image icons such that the image icon focusing elements form at least one synthetically magnified image of at least a portion of the image icons, wherein at least a portion of the image icons are arranged in relation to at least a portion of the focusing elements in a manner such that the at least one synthetically magnified image appears to lie below a given plane, the image icon focusing elements having an effective base diameter of less than 50 microns, wherein the image icon focusing elements are polygonal base multi-zonal focusing elements.
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152. A method of producing a synthetic magnification micro-optic system, which comprises:
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(a) providing an array of image icons; (b) providing an array of image icon focusing elements; and (c) disposing the array of image icon focusing elements a substantially uniform distance from the array of image icons such that the image icon focusing elements form at least one synthetically magnified image of at least a portion of the image icons, wherein at least a portion of the image icons are arranged in relation to at least a portion of the focusing elements in a manner such that the at least one synthetically magnified image appears to lie below a given plane, the image icon focusing elements having an effective base diameter of less than 50 microns, wherein the focusing elements provide an enlarged field of view over the width of an associated image icon so that the peripheral edges of the associated image icon do not drop out of view.
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153. A method of producing a synthetic magnification micro-optic system, which comprises:
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(a) providing an array of image icons; (b) providing an array of image icon focusing elements; and (c) disposing the array of image icon focusing elements a substantially uniform distance from the array of image icons such that the image icon focusing elements form at least one synthetically magnified image of at least a portion of the image icons, wherein at least a portion of the image icons are arranged in relation to at least a portion of the focusing elements in a manner such that the at least one synthetically magnified image appears to lie below a given plane, the image icon focusing elements having an effective base diameter of less than 50 microns, wherein upon illumination of the system the at least one synthetically magnified image appears to have a shadow.
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154. A method of producing a synthetic magnification micro-optic system, which comprises:
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(a) providing an array of image icons; (b) providing an array of image icon focusing elements; and (c) disposing the array of image icon focusing elements a substantially uniform distance from the array of image icons such that the image icon focusing elements form at least one synthetically magnified image of at least a portion of the image icons, wherein at least a portion of the image icons are arranged in relation to at least a portion of the focusing elements in a manner such that the at least one synthetically magnified image appears to lie below a given plane, the image icon focusing elements having an effective base diameter of less than 50 microns, wherein the at least one synthetically magnified image further appears to transform from one or more of a form, shape, size or color to another of a form, shape, size or color, wherein the transformation is produced by scale distortions in either or both the array of image icons and the array of focusing elements.
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155. A method of producing a synthetic magnification micro-optic system, which comprises:
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(a) providing an array of image icons; (b) providing an array of image icon focusing elements; and (c) disposing the array of image icon focusing elements a substantially uniform distance from the array of image icons such that the image icon focusing elements form at least one synthetically magnified image of at least a portion of the image icons, wherein at least a portion of the image icons are arranged in relation to at least a portion of the focusing elements in a manner such that the at least one synthetically magnified image appears to lie below a given plane, the image icon focusing elements having an effective base diameter of less than 50 microns, wherein the at least one synthetically magnified image further appears to transform from one or more of a form, shape, size or color to another of a form, shape, size or color, wherein the transformation is produced by incorporating spatially varying information in the image icon array.
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156. A method of producing a synthetic magnification micro-optic system, which comprises:
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(a) providing an array of image icons; (b) providing an array of image icon focusing elements; and (c) disposing the array of image icon focusing elements a substantially uniform distance from the array of image icons such that the image icon focusing elements form at least one synthetically magnified image of at least a portion of the image icons, wherein at least a portion of the image icons are arranged in relation to at least a portion of the focusing elements in a manner such that the at least one synthetically magnified image appears to lie below a given plane, the image icon focusing elements having an effective base diameter of less than 50 microns, wherein the system further includes a plurality of image icon arrays spaced a plurality of distances from the array of image icon focusing elements, wherein the array of image icon focusing elements includes focusing elements having a plurality of focal lengths corresponding to the various spaced distances of the image icon arrays.
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157. A method of producing a synthetic magnification micro-optic system, which comprises:
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(a) providing an array of image icons; (b) providing an array of image icon focusing elements; and (c) disposing the array of image icon focusing elements a substantially uniform distance from the array of image icons such that the image icon focusing elements form at least one synthetically magnified image of at least a portion of the image icons, wherein at least a portion of the image icons are arranged in relation to at least a portion of the focusing elements in a manner such that the at least one synthetically magnified image appears to lie below a given plane, the image icon focusing elements having an effective base diameter of less than 50 microns, wherein the at least one synthetically magnified image morphs into at least one other synthetically magnified image as the system is rotated or viewed from different viewpoints.
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158. A method of producing a synthetic magnification micro-optic system, which comprises:
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(a) providing an array of image icons; (b) providing an array of image icon focusing elements; and (c) disposing the array of image icon focusing elements a substantially uniform distance from the array of image icons such that the image icon focusing elements form at least one synthetically magnified image of at least a portion of the image icons, wherein at least a portion of the image icons are arranged in relation to at least a portion of the focusing elements in a manner such that the at least one synthetically magnified image appears to lie below a given plane, the image icon focusing elements having an effective base diameter of less than 50 microns, wherein the method further comprises providing a plurality of arrays of image icons at different depths within the system, the focusing elements having differing focal lengths for focusing at the different depths of the plurality of arrays of image icons.
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159. A method of producing a synthetic magnification micro-optic system, which comprises:
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(a) providing an array of image icons; (b) providing an array of image icon focusing elements; and (c) disposing the array of image icon focusing elements a substantially uniform distance from the array of image icons such that the image icon focusing elements form at least one synthetically magnified image of at least a portion of the image icons, wherein at least a portion of the image icons are arranged in relation to at least a portion of the focusing elements in a manner such that the at least one synthetically magnified image appears to lie below a given plane, the image icon focusing elements having an effective base diameter of less than 50 microns, wherein the method further comprises placing a second array of focusing elements to a side of the array of image icons opposite the array of focusing elements. - View Dependent Claims (160)
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161. A synthetic magnification micro-optic system comprising:
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(a) an array of image icons with a substantially regular array spacing between a substantial number of image icons within the image icon array, the array spacing measured on, or in the direction of, a chosen axis of the image icon array; and (b) an array of image icon focusing elements with an array spacing between focusing elements within at least a portion of the focusing element array, the array spacing measured on, or in the direction of, an axis of the focusing element array that corresponds to the chosen axis of the image icon array, the array of the image icon focusing elements being disposed a substantially uniform distance from the array of image icons and forming at least one synthetically magnified image of at least a portion of the image icons, wherein the ratio of (i) the array spacing between image icons for forming one synthetically magnified image within at least a portion of the array of image icons to (ii) the array spacing between focusing elements within at least a portion of the array of image icon focusing elements, is less than 1, the at least one synthetically magnified image appearing to lie below a given plane, wherein the image icons are selected from the group of positive image icons, and negative image icons, wherein the synthetic magnification micro-optic system is used on or at least partially within paper or polymer currency. - View Dependent Claims (162, 163, 164)
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165. A synthetic magnification micro-optic system comprising:
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(a) an array of image icons, wherein at least a portion of the array of image icons is arranged in a pattern, the array having at least one axis the pattern can be reflected around, rotated around, or both, without changing the geometry of the pattern; and (b) an array of image icon focusing elements, wherein at least a portion of the array of image icon focusing elements is arranged in a pattern, the array having at least one axis the pattern can be reflected around, rotated around, or both, without changing the geometry of the pattern, wherein, the array of image icon focusing elements is disposed a substantially uniform distance from the array of image icons and forms at least one synthetically magnified image of at least a portion of the image icons, the at least one synthetically magnified image appearing to lie below a given plane, and wherein, the synthetic magnification micro-optic system is used on or at least partially within paper or polymer currency.
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166. A method of producing a synthetic magnification micro-optic system, comprising:
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(a) providing an array of image icons, wherein at least a portion of the array of image icons is arranged in a pattern, the array having at least one axis the pattern can be reflected around, rotated around, or both, without changing the geometry of the pattern; and (b) providing an array of image icon focusing elements, wherein at least a portion of the array of image icon focusing elements is arranged in a pattern, the array having at least one axis the pattern can be reflected around, rotated around, or both, without changing the geometry of the pattern; and (c) disposing the array of image icon focusing elements a substantially uniform distance from the array of image icons such that the focusing elements form at least one synthetically magnified image of at least a portion of the image icons, the at least one synthetically magnified image appearing to lie below a given plane, wherein, the synthetic magnification micro-optic system is used on or at least partially within paper or polymer currency.
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167. A synthetic magnification micro-optic system comprising:
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(a) an array of image icons, which includes image icons formed as recesses on or in a surface of a substrate, the recesses filled with a material having a different refractive index than the substrate, wherein at least a portion of the array of image icons is arranged in a pattern, the array having at least one axis the pattern can be reflected around, rotated around, or both, without changing the geometry of the pattern; and (b) an array of image icon focusing elements, wherein at least a portion of the array of image icon focusing elements is arranged in a pattern, the array having at least one axis the pattern can be reflected around, rotated around, or both, without changing the geometry of the pattern, wherein, the array of image icon focusing elements is disposed a substantially uniform distance from the array of image icons and forms at least one synthetically magnified image of at least a portion of the image icons, the at least one synthetically magnified image appearing to lie below a given plane.
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168. A synthetic magnification micro-optic system, comprising:
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(a) an array of image icons having a constant distance between each image icon within a substantial portion of the image icon array, the constant distance measured on, or in the direction of, a chosen axis of the image icon array; and (b) an array of image icon focusing elements having a constant distance between each focusing element within at least a portion of the focusing element array, the constant distance measured on, or in the direction of, an axis of the focusing element array that corresponds to the chosen axis of the image icon array, wherein the array of image icon focusing elements is disposed substantially parallel to the array of image icons and forms at least one synthetically magnified image of at least a portion of the image icons, wherein the ratio of (i) the constant distance between each image icon for forming one synthetically magnified image within at least a portion of the array of image icons to (ii) the constant distance between each focusing element within at least a portion of the array of image icon focusing elements, is less than 1, the at least one synthetically magnified image thereby appearing to lie below a given plane, and wherein, the synthetic magnification micro-optic system is used on or at least partially within paper or polymer currency. - View Dependent Claims (169)
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170. A synthetic magnification micro-optic system, which comprises:
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(a) an array of image icons having a constant distance between each image icon within a substantial portion of the image icon array, the constant distance measured on, or in the direction of, a chosen axis of the image icon array; and (b) an array of image icon focusing elements having a constant distance between each focusing element within at least a portion of the focusing element array, the constant distance measured on, or in the direction of, an axis of the focusing element array that corresponds to the chosen axis of the image icon array, wherein the array of image icon focusing elements is disposed substantially parallel to the array of image icons and forms at least one synthetically magnified image of at least a portion of the image icons, wherein the ratio of (i) the constant distance between each image icon for forming one synthetically magnified image within at least a portion of the array of image icons to (ii) the constant distance between each focusing element within at least a portion of the array of image icon focusing elements, is less than 1, the at least one synthetically magnified image thereby appearing to lie below a given plane, wherein, the synthetic magnification micro-optic system is used on or at least partially within paper or polymer currency, and wherein at least a portion of the image icon focusing elements have an effective base diameter of less than 50 microns.
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171. A synthetic magnification micro-optic system, which comprises:
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(a) an array of image icons having a constant distance between each image icon within a substantial portion of the image icon array, the constant distance measured on, or in the direction of, a chosen axis of the image icon array; and (b) an array of image icon focusing elements having a constant distance between each focusing element within at least a portion of the focusing element array, the constant distance measured on, or in the direction of, an axis of the focusing element array that corresponds to the chosen axis of the image icon array, wherein the array of image icon focusing elements is disposed substantially parallel to the array of image icons and forms at least one synthetically magnified image of at least a portion of the image icons, wherein the ratio of (i) the constant distance between each image icon for forming one synthetically magnified image within at least a portion of the array of image icons to (ii) the constant distance between each focusing element within at least a portion of the array of image icon focusing elements, is less than 1, the at least one synthetically magnified image thereby appearing to lie below a given plane, wherein, the synthetic magnification micro-optic system is used on or at least partially within paper or polymer currency, and wherein the array of image icon focusing elements is spaced less than 50 microns from the array of image icons.
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172. A method of producing a synthetic magnification micro-optic system, comprising:
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(a) providing an array of image icons having a constant distance between each image icon within a substantial portion of the array, the constant distance measured on, or in the direction of, a chosen axis of the image icon array; (b) providing an array of image icon focusing elements having a constant distance between each focusing element within at least a portion of the array, the constant distance measured on, or in the direction of, an axis of the focusing element array that corresponds to the chosen axis of the image icon array; and (c) disposing the array of image icon focusing elements substantially parallel to the array of image icons such that the image icon focusing elements form at least one synthetically magnified image of at least a portion of the image icons, wherein the ratio of (i) the constant distance between each image icon within at least a portion of the array of image icons to (ii) the constant distance between each focusing element within at least a portion of the array of image icon focusing elements, is less than 1, the at least one synthetically magnified image thereby appearing to lie below a given plane, and wherein, the synthetic magnification micro-optic system is used on or at least partially within paper or polymer currency.
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173. A method, which comprises:
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(a) providing an array of image icons having a constant distance between each image icon within a substantial portion of the array, the constant distance measured on, or in the direction of, a chosen axis of the image icon array; (b) providing an array of image icon focusing elements having a constant distance between each focusing element within at least a portion of the array, the constant distance measured on, or in the direction of, an axis of the focusing element array that corresponds to the chosen axis of the image icon array; and (c) disposing the array of image icon focusing elements substantially parallel to the array of image icons such that the image icon focusing elements form at least one synthetically magnified image of at least a portion of the image icons, wherein the ratio of (i) the constant distance between each image icon within at least a portion of the array of image icons to (ii) the constant distance between each focusing element within at least a portion of the array of image icon focusing elements, is less than 1, the at least one synthetically magnified image thereby appearing to lie below a given plane, wherein, the synthetic magnification micro-optic system is used on or at least partially within paper or polymer currency, and wherein at least a portion of the image icon focusing elements have an effective base diameter of less than 50 microns.
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174. A method, which comprises:
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(a) providing an array of image icons having a constant distance between each image icon within a substantial portion of the array, the constant distance measured on, or in the direction of, a chosen axis of the image icon array; (b) providing an array of image icon focusing elements having a constant distance between each focusing element within at least a portion of the array, the constant distance measured on, or in the direction of, an axis of the focusing element array that corresponds to the chosen axis of the image icon array; and (c) disposing the array of image icon focusing elements substantially parallel to the array of image icons such that the image icon focusing elements form at least one synthetically magnified image of at least a portion of the image icons, wherein the ratio of (i) the constant distance between each image icon within at least a portion of the array of image icons to (ii) the constant distance between each focusing element within at least a portion of the array of image icon focusing elements, is less than 1, the at least one synthetically magnified image thereby appearing to lie below a given plane, wherein, the synthetic magnification micro-optic system is used on or at least partially within paper or polymer currency, and wherein the array of image icon focusing elements is spaced less than 50 microns from the array of image icons.
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175. A synthetic magnification micro-optic system comprising:
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(a) an array of image icons; (b) an array of image icon focusing elements; and (c) a substrate positioned between the arrays of image icons and focusing elements, wherein the image icons are formed as shaped voids or recesses on or in a surface of the substrate, wherein, the array of image icon focusing elements is disposed a substantially uniform distance from the array of image icons and forms at least one synthetically magnified image of at least a portion of the image icons, the at least one synthetically magnified image appearing to lie below a given plane. - View Dependent Claims (176)
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177. A synthetic magnification micro-optic system comprising:
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(a) an array of image icons; (b) an array of image icon focusing elements; (c) a substrate positioned between the arrays of image icons and focusing elements, wherein the image icons are formed as shaped posts on a surface of the substrate, wherein, the array of image icon focusing elements is disposed a substantially uniform distance from the array of image icons and forms at least one synthetically magnified image of at least a portion of the image icons, the at least one synthetically magnified image appearing to lie below a given plane. - View Dependent Claims (178)
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179. A synthetic magnification micro-optic system comprising:
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(a) an array of image icons with a substantially regular array spacing between a substantial number of image icons within the image icon array; and (b) an array of image icon focusing elements, wherein, the array of image icon focusing elements is disposed a substantially uniform distance from the array of image icons and forms at least one synthetically magnified image of at least a portion of the image icons, the at least one synthetically magnified image appearing to lie below a given plane, wherein, the system has a thickness of less than 50 microns, or image icon focusing elements having an effective base diameter of less than 50 microns, or both.
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180. A synthetic magnification micro-optic system comprising:
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(a) an array of image icons; and (b) an array of image icon focusing elements, which includes polygonal base multi-zonal focusing elements, wherein, the array of image icon focusing elements is disposed a substantially uniform distance from the array of image icons and forms at least one synthetically magnified image of at least a portion of the image icons, the at least one synthetically magnified image appearing to lie below a given plane.
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181. A synthetic magnification micro-optic system comprising:
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(a) an array of image icons, which includes microstructured icon elements having a physical relief formed as shaped voids or recesses, or as shaped posts, or both; and (b) an array of image icon focusing elements, wherein, the array of image icon focusing elements is disposed a substantially uniform distance from the array of image icons and forms at least one synthetically magnified image of at least a portion of the image icons, the at least one synthetically magnified image appearing to lie below a given plane.
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182. A synthetic magnification micro-optic system comprising:
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(a) an array of image icons, wherein at least a portion of the array of image icons is arranged in a pattern, the array having at least one axis the pattern can be reflected around, rotated around, or both, without changing the geometry of the pattern; and (b) an array of image icon focusing elements, wherein at least a portion of the array of image icon focusing elements is arranged in a pattern, the array having at least one axis the pattern can be reflected around, rotated around, or both, without changing the geometry of the pattern, wherein, the array of image icon focusing elements is disposed a substantially uniform distance from the array of image icons and forms at least one synthetically magnified image of at least a portion of the image icons, the at least one synthetically magnified image appearing to lie below a given plane, wherein, the system has a thickness of less than 50 microns, or image icon focusing elements having an effective base diameter of less than 50 microns, or both.
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183. A synthetic magnification micro-optic system, which comprises:
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(a) an array of image icons having a constant distance between each image icon within a substantial portion of the image icon array, the constant distance measured on, or in the direction of, a chosen axis of the image icon array; and (b) an array of image icon focusing elements having a constant distance between each focusing element within at least a portion of the focusing element array, the constant distance measured on, or in the direction of, an axis of the focusing element array that corresponds to the chosen axis of the image icon array, wherein the array of image icon focusing elements is disposed substantially parallel to the array of image icons and forms at least one synthetically magnified image of at least a portion of the image icons, wherein the ratio of (i) the constant distance between each image icon for forming one synthetically magnified image within at least a portion of the array of image icons to (ii) the constant distance between each focusing element within at least a portion of the array of image icon focusing elements, is less than 1, the at least one synthetically magnified image thereby appearing to lie below a given plane, wherein, the synthetic magnification micro-optic system is used on or at least partially within paper or polymer currency, and wherein the array of image icon focusing elements forms at least two synthetically magnified images.
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184. A synthetic magnification micro-optic system, which comprises:
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(a) an array of image icons; and (b) an array of focusing reflectors, the array of focusing reflectors being disposed a substantially uniform distance from the array of image icons and forming at least one synthetically magnified image of at least a portion of the image icons, wherein, at least a portion of the image icons are arranged in relation to at least a portion of the focusing reflectors in a manner such that the at least one synthetically magnified image appears to lie below a given plane. - View Dependent Claims (185)
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186. A synthetic magnification micro-optic system, which comprises:
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(a) an array of focusing elements; (b) an array of image icons located directly beneath the array of focusing elements; and (c) a reflective layer located a distance from the array of focusing elements and the array of the image icons, wherein, light scattered from the array of image icons reflects from the reflective layer, passes through the array of image icons and into the array of focusing elements, which project at least one synthetically magnified image of at least a portion of the image icons, the at least one synthetically magnified image appearing to lie below a given plane. - View Dependent Claims (187)
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188. A synthetic magnification micro-optic system comprising:
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(a) an array of image icons; (b) an array of image icon focusing elements; and (c) a substrate positioned between the arrays of image icons and focusing elements, wherein, at least a portion of the image icons are formed as bas-relief surfaces on or in a surface of the substrate, wherein, the bas-relief surfaces are filled with a pigmented or dyed material, and wherein, the array of focusing elements is disposed a substantially uniform distance from the array of image icons, at least a portion of the focusing elements forming at least one grayscale or tonal synthetically magnified image of at least a portion of the image icons, the at least one grayscale or tonal synthetically magnified image appearing to lie below a given plane. - View Dependent Claims (189)
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190. A synthetic magnification micro-optic system comprising:
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(a) an array of image icons; (b) an array of image icon focusing elements; and (c) a substrate positioned between the arrays of image icons and focusing elements, wherein, at least a portion of the image icons are formed as bas-relief surfaces on or in a surface of the substrate, wherein, the bas-relief surfaces are coated with a high refractive index material, and wherein, the array of focusing elements is disposed a substantially uniform distance from the array of image icons, at least a portion of the focusing elements forming at least one grayscale or tonal synthetically magnified image of at least a portion of the image icons, the at least one grayscale or tonal synthetically magnified image appearing to lie below a given plane. - View Dependent Claims (191)
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192. A synthetic magnification micro-optic system comprising:
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(a) an array of image icons; (b) an array of image icon focusing elements; and (c) a substrate positioned between the arrays of image icons and focusing elements, wherein, at least a portion of the image icons are formed as bas-relief surfaces on or in a surface of the substrate, wherein, the array of focusing elements is disposed a substantially uniform distance from the array of image icons, at least a portion of the focusing elements forming at least one grayscale or tonal synthetically magnified image of at least a portion of the image icons, the at least one grayscale or tonal synthetically magnified image appearing to lie below a given plane. - View Dependent Claims (193)
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194. A synthetic magnification micro-optic system comprising:
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(a) an array of image icons; and (b) an array of image icon focusing elements, wherein, the array of image icon focusing elements is disposed a substantially uniform distance from the array of image icons and forms at least one synthetically magnified image of at least a portion of the image icons, the at least one synthetically magnified image appearing to lie below a given plane, wherein the system is used in conjunction with printed information, such that both the printed information and the at least one synthetically magnified image can be seen at the same time in spatial or dynamic relationship to each other.
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Specification