Micro-optic security device with multi-phase icon structure
AssigneeCrane Co.
InventorsSamuel M. Cape, Benjamin E. Bleiman, Jason Van Gumster
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Abstract
An optical security device includes an array of focusing elements spaced at a first pitch along a first axis of repetition, wherein each focusing element of the array of focusing elements is associated with a focal footprint at a first focal depth. The optical security device further includes an icon layer disposed at the first focal depth relative to the array of focusing elements, the icon layer comprising an array of hybrid image icons. Each hybrid image icon includes a first component associated with a first emergent image projected by the optical security device and a second component associated with a second emergent image projected by the optical security device.
Claims18
An optical security device comprising:
- an array of focusing elements spaced at a first pitch along a first axis of repetition, wherein each focusing element of the array of focusing elements is associated with a focal footprint at a first focal depth;
- and
- an icon layer disposed at the first focal depth relative to the array of focusing elements, the icon layer comprising an array of hybrid image icons,
- wherein each hybrid image icon comprises a first component associated with a first emergent image projected by the optical security device and a second component associated with a second emergent image projected by the optical security device,
- wherein the first components of the hybrid image icons repeat along the first axis of repetition such that the first components of the hybrid image icons occupy a first phase space within focal footprints of focusing elements of the array of focusing elements, and
- wherein the second components of the hybrid image icons repeat along the first axis of repetition such that the second components of the hybrid image icons occupy a second phase space within focal footprints of focusing elements of the array of focusing elements,
- wherein the first phase space is a function of a first repeat ratio between the first components of the hybrid image icons and the first pitch of the focusing elements along the first axis of repetition and an offset between the first components and other components of the hybrid image icons.
A method of making an optical security device, the method comprising:
- providing an array of focusing elements spaced at a first pitch along a first axis of repetition, wherein each focusing element of the array of focusing elements is associated with a focal footprint at a first focal depth;
- and
- providing an icon layer disposed at the first focal depth relative to the array of focusing elements, the icon layer comprising an array of hybrid image icons,
- wherein each hybrid image icon comprises a first component associated with a first emergent image projected by the optical security device and a second component associated with a second emergent image projected by the optical security device,
- wherein the first components of the hybrid image icons repeat along the first axis of repetition such that the first components of the hybrid image icons occupy a first phase space within focal footprints of focusing elements of the array of focusing elements, and
- wherein the second components of the hybrid image icons repeat along the first axis of repetition such that the second components of the hybrid image icons occupy a second phase space within focal footprints of focusing elements of the array of focusing elements,
- wherein the first phase space is a function of a first repeat ratio between the first components of the hybrid image icons and the first pitch of the focusing elements along the first axis of repetition and an offset between the first components and other components of the hybrid image icons.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.