Abstract:
A system and method are provided for constructing an optical device having a substrate and a filter layer provided on a first side of the substrate. The filter layer includes features that define a first image and gaps between the features. An ink layer is provided on the filter layer and includes first image ink deposited in substantial alignment with the features of the filter layer and a second image ink deposited within the gaps. The first image ink renders a first image in reflective light and the second image ink renders a second image in transmitted light. According to one example, a second filter layer may be provided on a second side of the substrate such that features of the filter layer and features of the second filter layer may be at least partially out of vertical alignment in order to define a plurality of light ray entry angles.
Abstract:
A method of applying an authentication image to an article is presented. The method comprises obtaining a digitized version of the authentication image (Fig. 4), encoding the digitized version of the authentication image to produce an encoded latent image, and printing the encoded latent image on a printable surface of the article using a transmittent printing medium.
Abstract:
The present invention is a multi-section lens (14, 16) for decoding at least two encodings, as a function of the parameters of a lens section (12, 18), of at least on latent image (20), as implemented by a software program on a computer system, for security measures such as determining the authenticity of an object. The encoded latent image (20) is a function of distinct lenticular parameters which may include the frequency and lens radius of curvature (12, 18) of a particular lens section. Each section (14, 16) has a corresponding encoded latent image thus allowing for multiple latent images (20) and multiple encodings making it virtually impossible to counterfeit the encoded object (24) or the decoding apparatus.
Abstract:
A method is provided for constructing a composite image having an authentication image formed therein. The authentication image is viewable using a decoder lens having one or more decoder lens frequencies. The method comprises generating a first plurality of component images in which corresponding tonal areas are tonally balanced around at least one tonal value. At least one of the component images is configured to include a representation of the authentication image. The method further comprises determining a pattern of component image elements for each of the component images. The pattern having at least one element frequency that is equal to or a multiple of a decoder lens frequency. At least a portion of the content of each component image element is extracted and used to construct a composite image element.
Abstract:
A reflective decoding device is provided for use in decoding an encoded image comprising a latent image encoded using at least one encoding parameter. The device comprises a substrate with a reflective surface portion having a surface topography comprising a predetermined pattern of topographical features. The predetermined pattern is configured with at least one geometric characteristic corresponding to the at least one encoding parameter so that placement of a light-transmissive sheet having the encoded image formed thereon over the predetermined pattern of topographical features allows the latent image to be viewed.
Abstract:
A self-authenticating article comprising a substrate having an image receiving surface and a lenticular lens is provided. The lenticular lens has a predetermined lens frequency and is configured for optically decoding encoded indicia viewed therethrough. The lens is attached to the substrate so that the lens can be selectively positioned to overlie the image receiving surfac to decode encoded indicia printed thereon. The self-authenticating aπicle further comprises an encoded image on the image receiving surface, the encoded image comprising at least one of th set consisting of printed indicia and indicia formed as variations in surface geometry of the imæ receiving surface. The surface geometry variations may comprise raised and non-raised areas surface areas that combine to define at least a portion of the indicia.
Abstract:
An automated method for authorizing and controlling the production of optically encoded images is provided. The method comprises receiving from a user data processor a request for authorization to produce an encoded image (s110). The authorization request includes user-supplied data comprising at least one authentication image file. The method further comprises determining whether the user is authorized to produce an encoded image using the user-supplied data (s140). Responsive to a determination that the user is authorized to produce an encoded image using the user-supplied data, an authentication image signature is generated from the at least one authentication image file using an image signature algorithm and a positive authorization response is returned to the user data processor. The positive authorization response includes the authentication image signature (s170).
Abstract:
An automated method of producing an encoded image for use in authenticating a printed version of a digital document is presented. The method comprises establishing at least one digitized authentication image, receiving at least one user-supplied encoding parameter, and determining at least one non-user-supplied encoding parameter. The method further comprises establishing a first encoding parameter set including the at least one user-supplied encoding parameter and the at least one non-user-supplied encoding parameter. The first encoding parameter set is usable to encode one or more of the at least one digitized authentication image. The method also comprises encoding one or more of the at least one digitized authentication image using the first encoding parameter set to produce a final encoded image.
Abstract:
An automated method of producing encoded images for incorporation into digital document is provided. The method comprises receiving a request from a user to produce an encoded image. The request includes user-supplied data for producing the encoded image, the user-supplied data including user-supplied authentication indicia and/or at least one user-supplied encoding parameter. The method further comprises determining whether the user is authorized to produced an encoded image using the user-supplied data. Responsive to a datermination that the user is authorized to produced an encoded image using the user-supplied data, encoding actions are carried out. The encoding actions include establishing at least one digitized authentication image and establishing an encoding parameter set including any user-supplied encoding parameters, the encoding parameter set is usable to encode one or more of the least one digitized authentication image. The encoding actions also include encoding one or more of the at least one digitized authentication image using the encoding parameter set to produce a final encoded image.
Abstract:
A method of authenticating objects is disclosed. At least one object having a print region with printed material contained thereon is provided. The printed material of the print region includes a layer of non-visible indicia which emits at least one wavelength of light outside a visible range of an electromagnetic spectrum when stimulated with electromagnetic radiation. An optical image of the object is recorded with an imaging device to make the non-visible indicia perceivable to a human eye. The perceived image is then compared against expected authentication indicia to authenticate the object. A system for authenticating objects includes at least one imaging device to record optical images of objects having a layer of non-visible indicia and to render the non-visible indicia perceivable to a human eye. The system also includes a central authentication system in communication with the imaging device to receive optical images recorded by the imaging device.