Systems and methods for fabricating variable digital optical images using generic optical matrices

A method for fabricating variable digital optical images using generic optical matrices, the variable digital optical images including different printed optical images instantly produced on the same image area in a single printing cycle, the method comprising:

• retaining a negative corresponding to a base image, the negative being based on the base image and a geometry associated with a pre-prepared physical generic optical matrix, the generic optical matrix having an arrayed motif of static physical pixels corresponding to color and sub-pixels corresponding to non-color effects, the pixels including first pixels corresponding to a first color and second pixels corresponding to a second color, the sub-pixels including first sub-pixels corresponding to a first non-color effect and second sub-pixels corresponding to a second non-color effect, the geometry indicating locations and colors of pixels in the generic optical matrix, the geometry further indicating locations and non-color effects of sub-pixels within the pixels, wherein a given non-color effect corresponds to one or more of viewing angle, viewing distance, polarization, intensity, scattering, refractive index, or birefringence;
• and
• obliterating during a single printing cycle individual ones of the pixels and/or sub-pixels of the generic optical matrix according to the negative while preserving remaining pixels and/or sub-pixels, the remaining pixels and/or sub-pixels forming an optical image corresponding to the base image, the optical image being colored based on the remaining pixels, the optical image exhibiting non-color effects corresponding to the remaining sub-pixels, wherein obliterating a given pixel and/or sub-pixel includes one or more of printing a pigment over the given pixel and/or sub-pixel, curing a radiation-curable material over the given pixel and/or sub-pixel, chemical etching away the given pixel and/or sub-pixel, or laser ablating the given pixel and/or sub-pixel.

An optical image that is instantly produced and different from other printed optical images produced in the same printing cycle, the optical image being prepared by a process comprising the steps of:

• obtaining a pre-prepared physical generic optical matrix having an arrayed motif of static physical pixels corresponding to color and sub-pixels corresponding to non-color effects, the pixels including first pixels corresponding to a first color and second pixels corresponding to a second color, the sub-pixels including first sub-pixels corresponding to a first non-color effect and second sub-pixels corresponding to a second non-color effect, wherein a given non-color effect corresponds to one or more of viewing angle, viewing distance, polarization, intensity, scattering, refractive index, or birefringence;
• and
• obliterating during a single printing cycle individual ones of the pixels and/or sub-pixels of the generic optical matrix according to a negative while preserving remaining pixels and/or sub-pixels, the remaining pixels and/or sub-pixels forming the optical image corresponding to a base image, the optical image being colored based on the remaining pixels, the optical image exhibiting non-color effects corresponding to the remaining sub-pixels, wherein obliterating a given pixel and/or sub-pixel includes one or more of printing a pigment over the given pixel and/or sub-pixel, curing a radiation-curable material over the given pixel and/or sub-pixel, chemical etching away the given pixel and/or sub-pixel, or laser ablating the given pixel and/or sub-pixel.