Micro-optic security and image presentation system presenting a synthetically magnified image that appears to lie above a given plane

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 at least a portion of the image icon array;
• 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 above a given plane,
• 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.

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 at least a portion of the image icon array;
• 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 above a given plane,
• 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.

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 at least a portion of the image icon array;
• 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 above a given plane,
• 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 may or may not have the same color or graphical elements.

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 at least a portion of the image icon array;
• 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 above a given plane,
• 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.

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 at least a portion of the image icon array;
• 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 above a given plane,
• 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,
• wherein the different image planes are further different in at least one of form, color, movement direction of the effect, or magnification.

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 at least a portion of the image icon array;
• 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 above a given plane,
• wherein the synthetic magnification micro-optic system forms a second synthetically magnified image exhibiting a different optical effect than the at least one synthetically magnified image.

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 at least a portion of the image icon array;
• 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 above a given plane,
• wherein the synthetic magnification micro-optic system forms a second synthetically magnified image exhibiting a different optical effect than the at least one synthetically magnified image,
• wherein the optical effect of the second synthetically magnified image is different in one or more of form, color, direction of movement or magnification.

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 at least a portion of the image icon array;
• and
• (b) an array of image icon focusing elements, the array of the image icon focusing elements being disposed a substantially uniform distance from the array of the 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 above 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.

A synthetic magnification micro-optic system comprising:

• (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 above a given plane,
• wherein the synthetic magnification micro-optic system is used on or at least partially within paper or polymer currency.

A synthetic magnification micro-optic system comprising:

• (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 above 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.

A synthetic magnification micro-optic system comprising:

• (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 shaped voids or recesses 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 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 above a given plane.

A synthetic magnification micro-optic system comprising:

• (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 shaped posts on a surface of the substrate,
• wherein, the array of 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 above a given plane.

A synthetic magnification micro-optic system comprising:

• (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 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 above a given plane.

A synthetic magnification micro-optic system comprising:

• (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 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 above a given plane.

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;
• 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 above 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.

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;
• and
• (b) an array of image icon focusing elements, the array of the image icon focusing elements being disposed a substantially uniform distance from the array of the 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 above 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.

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 at least a portion of 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 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 greater than 1, the at least one synthetically magnified image appearing to lie above a given plane,
• wherein the synthetic magnification micro-optic system is used on or at least partially within paper or polymer currency.

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 at least a portion of 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 the image icon focusing elements is disposed a substantially uniform distance from the array of the 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 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 greater than 1, the at least one synthetically magnified image appearing to lie above 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.

A synthetic magnification micro-optic system, which comprises:

• (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 above a given plane.

A synthetic magnification micro-optic system, which comprises:

• (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 above a given plane.

A synthetic magnification micro-optic system comprising:

• (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 above a given plane.

A synthetic magnification micro-optic system comprising:

• (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 above a given plane.

A synthetic magnification micro-optic system comprising:

• (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 above a given plane.