Micro-optic film structure that alone or together with a security document or label projects images spatially coordinated with static images and/or other projected images

• US 8,284,492 B2
• Filed: 05/11/2007
• Issued: 10/09/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 05/12/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Crane & Company Incorporated (Crane Company)
• Original Assignee: Crane & Company Incorporated (Crane Company)
• Inventors: Crane, Timothy T., Maraschi, Marco, Mörck-Hamilton, Karin, Niedeck, Tod L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Harrington, Alicia M
• Application Number:
  US11/747,687
• Publication Number:
  US 20070273143A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,978 Days
• Field of Search: 359619-626
• US Class Current: 359/620
• CPC Class Codes: B41M 3/003 on optical devices, e.g. lens elements; for the production of optical devices production by thermal imaging means B41M5/265
• CPC Class Codes: B42D 2033/20 Coloured material; Pigments or inks
• CPC Class Codes: B42D 2033/24 Reliefs or indentations
• CPC Class Codes: B42D 2035/20 Optical effects
• CPC Class Codes: B42D 2035/24 Colours
• CPC Class Codes: B42D 2035/36 visible in transmitted light, e.g. in a window region
• CPC Class Codes: B42D 2035/44 Miniaturised markings
• CPC Class Codes: B42D 2035/50 Corresponding markings appearing in different shapes or at different places
• CPC Class Codes: B42D 25/00 Information-bearing cards or sheet-like structures characterised by identification or security features; Manufacture thereof printing processes to produce identification or security features B41M3/14
• CPC Class Codes: B42D 25/324 Reliefs
• CPC Class Codes: B42D 25/346 Perforations
• CPC Class Codes: B42D 25/355 Security threads
• CPC Class Codes: B42D 25/382 absorbing or reflecting infrared light
• CPC Class Codes: B42D 25/387 absorbing or reflecting ultraviolet light
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 3/0006 Arrays G02B3/02, G02B5/188 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 5/1861 Reflection gratings characterised by their structure, e.g. step profile, contours of substrate or grooves, pitch variations, materials G02B5/1809, G02B5/1828, G02B5/1833, G02B5/1838 and G02B5/1847 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/24612 Composite web or sheet

Abstract

A micro-optic film structure that alone or together with a security document or label projects images spatially coordinated with static images and/or other projected images is provided. The inventive film structure is made up of: (a) one or more polymer film materials; (b) one or more planar arrangements of primary image icons; (c) one or more planar arrangements of focusing elements or lenses; and (d) one or more secondary image icons. The planar arrangements are configured such that when a planar arrangement of primary image icons is viewed through a planar arrangement of focusing elements or lenses, one or more first synthetic images are projected. The secondary image icons appear as static and/or other projected images. These images are spatially coordinated with the first synthetic image(s) projected by the film structure, such that when simultaneously displayed therewith, they visually enhance or cancel the projected first synthetic image(s).

Claims

1. A micro-optic film structure having one or more planar arrangements of focusing elements, which projects one or more synthetic optical images through the one or more planar arrangements of focusing elements, and one or more static images, which are viewed through the one or more planar arrangements of focusing elements without being projected thereby,

wherein the one or more synthetic optical images are spatially coordinated with the one or more static images in such a manner that when viewed simultaneously the one or more synthetic optical images are:

visually enhanced by the one or more static images due to their mutual spatial arrangement through;

(a) forming a legible phrase; and

/or (b) amplifying apparent movement of the one or more synthetic optical images, wherein the one or more static images are in the form of a pattern selected from the group of line patterns, dot patterns, intricate webbing or quilloche patterns, or vignettes;

or

canceled or rendered visually undetectable by the one or more static images due to their mutual spatial arrangement, wherein the one or more static images are negative or reverse likenesses of the one or more synthetic optical images.

2. The micro-optic film structure of claim 1, wherein the one or more synthetic optical images are magnified images.

3. The micro-optic film structure of claim 1, which comprises:

(a) one or more polymer film materials;

(b) one or more planar arrangements of image icons located on or within a polymer film material; and

(c) one or more planar arrangements of focusing elements located on or near a polymer film material or a planar arrangement of image icons,

wherein, the planar arrangements are configured such that when a planar arrangement of image icons is viewed through a planar arrangement of focusing elements, one or more synthetic optical images are projected; and

(d) one or more static images directly or indirectly superimposed upon or formed through one or more image icons and/or one or more focusing elements,

wherein, the one or more static images are spatially coordinated with the one or more synthetic optical images,

wherein, when the static images are viewed with the one or more synthetic optical images projected by the film structure, the static images visually enhance or cancel the one or more projected images.

4. The micro-optic film structure of claim 3, wherein the one or more image icons are optionally filled voids or recesses formed on or within the one or more polymer film materials.

5. The micro-optic film structure of claim 4, wherein the one or more image icons are filled voids or recesses formed on or within the one or more polymer film materials.

6. The micro-optic film structure of claim 3, wherein the one or more synthetic optical images are magnified images.

7. The micro-optic film structure of claim 3, wherein the one or more static images are printed icons.

8. The micro-optic film structure of claim 3, wherein the one or more static images are in the form of optically variable holographic foil patches or stripes.

9. The micro-optic film structure of claim 1, wherein the one or more synthetic optical images are visually enhanced by the one or more static images due to their mutual spatial arrangement through forming a legible phrase.

10. The micro-optic film structure of claim 1, wherein the one or more synthetic optical images are visually enhanced by the one or more static images due to their mutual spatial arrangement through amplifying apparent movement of the one or more synthetic optical images, wherein the one or more static images are in the form of a pattern selected from the group of line patterns, dot patterns, intricate webbing or guilloche patterns, or vignettes.

11. The micro-optic film structure of claim 1, wherein the one or more synthetic optical images are canceled or rendered visually undetectable by the one or more static images due to their mutual spatial arrangement, wherein the one or more static images are negative or reverse likenesses of the one or more synthetic optical images.

12. A micro-optic film structure, which comprises:

(a) one or more polymer film materials;

(b) one or more planar arrangements of image icons located on or within a polymer film material; and

(c) one or more planar arrangements of focusing elements located on or near a polymer film material or a planar arrangement of image icons,

wherein, the planar arrangements are configured such that when a planar arrangement of image icons is viewed through a planar arrangement of focusing elements, one or more synthetic optical images are projected; and

(d) one or more static images directly or indirectly superimposed upon or formed through one or more image icons and/or one or more focusing elements,

wherein, the one or more static images are viewed directly, or viewed through the one or more planar arrangements of focusing elements without being projected thereby,

wherein, the one or more synthetic optical images are spatially coordinated with the one or more static images in such a manner that when viewed simultaneously the one or more synthetic optical images are;

visually enhanced by the one or more static images due to their mutual spatial arrangement through;

(a) forming one or more new images or icons with the one or more static images; and

/or (b) amplifying apparent movement of the one or more synthetic optical images, wherein the one or more static images are in the form of a pattern selected from the group of line patterns, dot patterns, intricate webbing or guilloche patterns. or vignettes;

or

canceled or rendered visually undetectable by the one or more static images due to their mutual spatial arrangement, wherein the one or more static images are negative or reverse likenesses of the one or more synthetic optical images,

wherein the one or more synthetic optical images are magnified images,

wherein the one or more magnified synthetic optical images show orthoparallactic movement as the film structure is tilted or viewed from different viewing angles.

13. A micro-optic film structure, which comprises:

(a) one or more polymer film materials;

(b) one or more planar arrangements of image icons located on or within a polymer film material; and

(c) one or more planar arrangements of focusing elements located on or near a polymer film material or a planar arrangement of image icons,

wherein, the planar arrangements are configured such that when a planar arrangement of image icons is viewed through a planar arrangement of focusing elements, one or more synthetic optical images are projected; and

(d) one or more static images directly or indirectly superimposed upon or formed through one or more image icons and/or one or more focusing elements,

wherein, the one or more static images are viewed directly, or viewed through the one or more planar arrangements of focusing elements without being projected thereby,

wherein, the one or more synthetic optical images are spatially coordinated with the one or more static images in such a manner that when viewed simultaneously the one or more synthetic optical images are;

visually enhanced by the one or more static images due to their mutual spatial arrangement through;

(a) forming one or more new images or icons with the one or more static images; and

/or (b) amplifying apparent movement of the one or more synthetic optical images, wherein the one or more static images are in the form of a pattern selected from the group of line patterns, dot patterns, intricate webbing or guilloche patterns, or vignettes;

or

canceled or rendered visually undetectable by the one or more static images due to their mutual spatial arrangement,

wherein the one or more static images are in the form of microscopic holes that extend completely through the thickness of the film structure.

14. A micro-optic film structure, which comprises:

(a) a polymer film material having opposing surfaces;

(b) a planar arrangement of image icons located on or within one surface of the polymer film material; and

(c) a planar arrangement of focusing elements located on an opposing surface of the polymer film material,

wherein, the planar arrangements are configured such that when the planar arrangement of image icons is viewed through the planar arrangement of focusing elements, one or more magnified synthetic optical images are projected; and

(d) one or more static images directly or indirectly superimposed upon or formed through one or more image icons and/or one or more focusing elements,

wherein, the one or more static images are viewed directly, or viewed through the planar arrangement of focusing elements without being projected thereby,

wherein, the one or more magnified synthetic optical images are spatially coordinated with the one or more static images in such a manner that when viewed simultaneously the one or more synthetic optical images are;

visually enhanced by the one or more static images due to their mutual spatial arrangement through;

(a) forming one or more new images or icons with the one or more static images; and

/or (b) amplifying apparent movement of the one or more synthetic optical images, wherein the one or more static images are in the form of a pattern selected from the group of line patterns, dot patterns, intricate webbing or quilloche patterns, or vignettes;

or

canceled or rendered visually undetectable by the one or more static images due to their mutual spatial arrangement,

wherein, the one or more magnified synthetic optical images projected by the film structure show orthoparallactic movement as the film structure is tilted or viewed from different viewing angles.

15. The micro-optic film structure of claim 14, wherein the one or more image icons are optionally filled voids or recesses formed on or within the polymer film material, and wherein the one or more static images are printed icons.

16. A security document or label having opposing surfaces and comprising at least one micro-optic film structure partially embedded in and/or mounted on a surface of the security document or label, wherein the micro-optic film structure has one or more planar arrangements of focusing elements, the micro-optic film structure projecting one or more synthetic optical images through the one or more planar arrangements of focusing elements, and one or more static images, which are viewed through the one or more planar arrangements of focusing elements without being projected thereby,

wherein the one or more synthetic optical images are spatially coordinated with the one or more static images in such a manner that when viewed simultaneously the one or more synthetic optical images are:

visually enhanced by the one or more static images due to their mutual spatial arrangement through;

(a) forming a legible phrase; and

/or (b) amplifying apparent movement of the one or more synthetic optical images, wherein the one or more static images are in the form of a pattern selected from the group of line patterns, dot patterns, intricate webbing or guilloche patterns, or vignettes;

or

canceled or rendered visually undetectable by the one or more static images due to their mutual spatial arrangement, wherein the one or more static images are negative or reverse likenesses of the one or more synthetic optical images.

17. The security document or label of claim 16, wherein the at least one micro-optic film structure comprises:

(a) one or more polymer film materials;

(b) one or more planar arrangements of image icons located on or within a polymer film material; and

(c) one or more planar arrangements of focusing elements located on either a polymer film material or on a planar arrangement of image icons,

wherein, the planar arrangements are configured such that when a planar arrangement of image icons is viewed through a planar arrangement of focusing elements, one or more synthetic optical images are projected; and

(d) one or more static images directly or indirectly superimposed upon or formed through one or more image icons and/or one or more focusing elements,

wherein, the one or more static images are spatially coordinated with the one or more synthetic optical images,

wherein, when the static images are viewed with the one or more synthetic optical images projected by the film structure, the static images visually enhance or cancel the one or more projected images.

18. The security document or label of claim 17, wherein the at least one micro-optic film structure in the form of a security thread is partially embedded in the security document or label, wherein the one or more static images are printed on one or both surfaces of the security document or label in areas overlying the partially embedded security thread.

19. The security document or label of claim 17, wherein the one or more image icons of the at least one micro-optic film structure are optionally filled voids or recesses formed on or within the one or more polymer film materials.

20. The security document or label of claim 19, wherein the one or more image icons are filled voids or recesses formed on or within the one or more polymer film materials.

21. A security document or label having opposing surfaces and comprising at least one micro-optic film structure partially embedded in and/or mounted on a surface of the security document or label, wherein the micro-optic film structure comprises:

(a) one or more polymer film materials;

(b) one or more planar arrangements of image icons located on or within a polymer film material; and

(c) one or more planar arrangements of focusing elements located on either a polymer film material or on a planar arrangement of image icons,

wherein, the planar arrangements are configured such that when a planar arrangement of image icons is viewed through a planar arrangement of focusing elements, one or more synthetic optical images are projected; and

(d) one or more static images directly or indirectly superimposed upon or formed through one or more image icons and/or one or more focusing elements,

wherein, the one or more static images are viewed directly, or viewed through the one or more planar arrangements of focusing elements without being projected thereby,

wherein the one or more synthetic optical images are spatially coordinated with the one or more static images in such a manner that when viewed simultaneously the one or more synthetic optical images are;

visually enhanced by the one or more static images due to their mutual spatial arrangement through;

(a) forming one or more new images or icons with the one or more static images; and

/or (b) amplifying apparent movement of the one or more synthetic optical images, wherein the one or more static images are in the form of a pattern selected from the group of line patterns, dot patterns, intricate webbing or guilloche patterns, or vignettes;

or

canceled or rendered visually undetectable by the one or more static images due to their mutual spatial arrangement,

wherein the static images are in the form of microscopic holes extending through the film structure and overlying security document or label.

22. A micro-optic film structure having one or more planar arrangements of focusing elements, and one or more planar arrangements of image icons in the form of optionally filled voids or recesses, the planar arrangements configured such that when a planar arrangement of image icons is viewed through a planar arrangement of focusing elements one or more synthetic optical images are projected through the one or more planar arrangements of focusing elements, the micro-optic film structure also having one or more static images, which are viewed directly, or viewed through the one or more planar arrangements of focusing elements without being projected thereby,

wherein the one or more synthetic optical images are spatially coordinated with the one or more static images in such a manner that when viewed simultaneously the one or more synthetic optical images are:

visually enhanced by the one or more static images due to their mutual spatial arrangement through;

(a) forming one or more new images or icons with the one or more static images; and

/or (b) amplifying apparent movement of the one or more synthetic optical images, wherein the one or more static images are in the form of a pattern selected from the group of line patterns, dot patterns, intricate webbing or quilloche patterns, or vignettes;

or

canceled or rendered visually undetectable by the one or more static images due to their mutual spatial arrangement.

23. The micro-optic film structure of claim 22, wherein the one or more planar arrangements of image icons are in the form of filled voids or recesses.

24. The micro-optic film structure of claim 22, wherein the one or more synthetic optical images are visually enhanced by the one or more static images due to their mutual spatial arrangement through forming one or more new images or icons with the one or more static images.

25. The micro-optic film structure of claim 22, wherein the one or more synthetic optical images are visually enhanced by the one or more static images due to their mutual spatial arrangement through amplifying apparent movement of the one or more synthetic optical images, wherein the one or more static images are in the form of a pattern selected from the group of line patterns, dot patterns, intricate webbing or guilloche patterns, or vignettes.

26. The micro-optic film structure of claim 22, wherein the one or more synthetic optical images are canceled or rendered visually undetectable by the one or more static images due to their mutual spatial arrangement.

27. A security document or label having opposing surfaces and comprising at least one micro-optic film structure partially embedded in and/or mounted on a surface of the security document or label, wherein the micro-optic film structure has one or more planar arrangements of focusing elements, and one or more planar arrangements of image icons in the form of optionally filled voids or recesses, the planar arrangements configured such that when a planar arrangement of image icons is viewed through a planar arrangement of focusing elements one or more synthetic optical images are projected through the one or more planar arrangements of focusing elements, the micro-optic film structure also having one or more static images, which are viewed directly, or viewed through the one or more planar arrangements of focusing elements without being projected thereby,

wherein the one or more synthetic optical images are spatially coordinated with the one or more static images in such a manner that when viewed simultaneously the one or more synthetic optical images are:

visually enhanced by the one or more static images due to their mutual spatial arrangement through;

(a) forming one or more new images or icons with the one or more static images; and

/or (b) amplifying apparent movement of the one or more synthetic optical images, wherein the one or more static images are in the form of a pattern selected from the group of line patterns, dot patterns, intricate webbing or guilloche patterns, or vignettes;

or

canceled or rendered visually undetectable by the one or more static images due to their mutual spatial arrangement.

28. A method for authenticating the security document or label of claim 27, which method comprises:

(a) directing a coherent light source at a shallow angle over the planar arrangement of focusing elements of the micro-optic film structure to project a unique pattern;

(b) detecting the unique projected pattern; and

(c) comparing the detected unique projected pattern to expected patterns.

29. The security document or label of claim 27, wherein the one or more planar arrangements of image icons of the micro-optic film structure are in the form of filled voids or recesses.

30. A micro-optic film structure having one or more planar arrangements of focusing elements, which projects one or more synthetic optical images through the one or more planar arrangements of focusing elements, and one or more static images, which are viewed through the one or more planar arrangements of focusing elements without being projected thereby,

wherein the one or more synthetic optical images are spatially coordinated with the one or more static images in such a manner that the one or more synthetic optical images are visually enhanced or canceled by the one or more static images due to their mutual spatial arrangement through:

(a) changing at least one of color, optical density, luminosity, or background of the one or more synthetic optical images;

(b) amplifying apparent movement of the one or more synthetic optical images, wherein the one or more static images are in the form of a pattern selected from the group of line patterns, dot patterns, intricate webbing or guilloche patterns, or vignettes; and

/or

(c) forming a legible phrase.

31. The micro-optic film structure of claim 30, also having one or more planar arrangements of image icons, wherein the image icons are optionally filled voids or recesses formed on or within one or more polymer film materials.

32. The micro-optic film structure of claim 31, wherein the image icons are filled voids or recesses formed on or within one or more polymer film materials.

33. The micro-optic film structure of claim 30, wherein the one or more synthetic optical images are visually enhanced or canceled by the one or more static images due to their mutual spatial arrangement through changing at least one of color, optical density, luminosity, or background of the one or more synthetic optical images.

34. The micro-optic film structure of claim 30, wherein the one or more synthetic optical images are visually enhanced or canceled by the one or more static images due to their mutual spatial arrangement through amplifying apparent movement of the one or more synthetic optical images, wherein the one or more static images are in the form of a pattern selected from the group of line patterns, dot patterns, intricate webbing or guilloche patterns, or vignettes.

35. The micro-optic film structure of claim 30, wherein the one or more synthetic optical images are visually enhanced or canceled by the one or more static images due to their mutual spatial arrangement through forming a legible phrase.