Abstract: A security device has a support substrate of a first material having a softening temperature t1 and an embossed layer of a second different material supported by the support substrate having a softening temperature t2, wherein t2<t1. A thin film coating deposited directly upon the embossed layer, wherein the embossed layer is capable of being dissolved in a dissolving agent and wherein the thin film coating is not dissolvable by said dissolving agent. There is not need for an additional release layer as the second different material is dissolvable and allows flakes to be formed by dissolving the second layer.

Abstract: A structured color filtering device includes one or more unit cells. Each unit cell includes a substrate having a surface with a step function surface profile having two or more discrete levels formed therein. The step function surface profile forms in the surface a plurality of grooves arranged in a fundamentally symmetric pattern having a periodic groove pitch. When ordinary light is incident on the surface, the surface is structured to diffract light having a predetermined wavelength toward observation points at all polar angles above the surface greater than a predetermined incident angle.

Abstract: A holographic overlay is formed using casting a diffractive structure upon a first side of a polycarbonate substrate, and providing a reflection-enhancing coating on at least a part of the diffractive structure. A second side of the substrate provides a substantially flat external surface of the overlay capable of fusing to a conforming surface in the presence of heat and pressure without an adhesive. Optionally, the overlay is laser-engraved so as to form ablated voids in the metal coating and carbonize the laser engravable polycarbonate under the ablated voids.

Abstract: A security device has a support substrate of a first material having a softening temperature t1 and an embossed layer of a second different material supported by the support substrate having a softening temperature t2, wherein t2<t1. A thin film coating deposited directly upon the embossed layer, wherein the embossed layer is capable of being dissolved in a dissolving agent and wherein the thin film coating is not dissolvable by said dissolving agent. There is not need for an additional release layer as the second different material is dissolvable and allows flakes to be formed by dissolving the second layer.

Abstract: This invention provides an improved and novel thin and pliable holographic fabric label that possesses durability, high intensity of holographic diffraction, laundering resistance, minimal alteration and degradation to the fabric and the label through extended use, and the ability to be cost-effectively mass produced is described. High bond is formed at multiple inter polymer interfaces and reflective diffractive layer is protected within the construction, superior durability to repetitious laundering, dry clean cycle and mechanical wear with long lasting diffracting effect and visual authentication property is realized.

Abstract: This invention provides an improved and novel thin and pliable holographic fabric label that possesses durability, high intensity of holographic diffraction, laundering resistance, minimal alteration and degradation to the fabric and the label through extended use, and the ability to be cost-effectively mass produced is described. High bond is formed at multiple inter polymer interfaces and reflective diffractive layer is protected within the construction, superior durability to repetitious laundering, dry clean cycle and mechanical wear with long lasting diffracting effect and visual authentication property is realized.

Abstract: A non-conductive carrier having a conductive component comprising a plurality of sections to disrupt the conductive component's conductive path. Each section is isolated from other sections such that a charge accumulated in one section cannot combine with the charge accumulated in another section, thereby minimizing any potential electrostatic discharge from the carrier.

Abstract: A holographic magnetic tape comprising a hidden image pattern for protecting against skimming, alteration and counterfeiting of the data encoded in the holographic magnetic tape. The hidden image pattern in a holographic magnetic tape of a transaction card is used to determine the validity of said transaction card and the holographic magnetic tape. This relieves the clerk at the point-of-sale of visually inspecting card which is generally ineffective.

Abstract: A holographic overlay is provided, including: a polycarbonate substrate having a first side and a second side, a diffractive structure cast upon the first side of the polycarbonate substrate, and a reflection-enhancing coating on at least a part of the diffractive structure; wherein the second side of the polycarbonate substrate provides a substantially flat external surface of the overlay capable of fusing to a conforming surface in the presence of heat and pressure without an adhesive. Optionally, the overlay is laser-engraved so as to form ablated voids in the metal coating and carbonize the laser engravable polycarbonate under the ablated voids. According to another aspect of the invention, a metal coating on a hologram is made substantially transparent using a laser to form a transparent portion of a hologram. Optionally, it is done after applying the hologram to an object such as a card, a document, etc., in register with underlying information to ensure its visibility and continuity of the hologram.

Abstract: A holographic magnetic tape comprising a hidden image pattern for protecting against skimming, alteration and counterfeiting of the data encoded in the holographic magnetic tape. The hidden image pattern in a holographic magnetic tape of a transaction card is used to determine the validity of said transaction card and the holographic magnetic tape. This relieves the clerk at the point-of-sale of visually inspecting card which is generally ineffective.

Abstract: A non-conductive carrier having a conductive component comprising a plurality of sections to disrupt the conductive component's conductive path. Each section is isolated from other sections such that a charge accumulated in one section cannot combine with the charge accumulated in another section, thereby minimizing any potential electrostatic discharge from the carrier.

Abstract: The apparatus and method of the present invention measures diffracted or scattered light to determine the quality of the holographic images/items that have been transferred or reproduced to a film based media. The apparatus comprises one or more illumination and detection devices which illuminate light (e.g., laser) onto the holographic images/items, detect and collect diffracted/scattered light to perform quality inspection of the holographic images/items during a web based holographic manufacturing process.

Abstract: A method for producing a tamper evident security holographic label and overlaminate using UV casting techniques, and a security device so produced, comprising a clear protective layer; a thin layer of clear UV cured resin cast partly onto the protective layer following a designed pattern; another layer of UV cured resin bearing a cast holographic image, wherein the bond of the holographic image layer is stronger toward the surface of the protective layer than it is toward the surface of the pattern layer; a reflective layer strongly attached to the adjacent holographic layer; and an adhesive layer bonded to the reflective layer. Such a composite product when adhered to a base substrate via the adhesive layer will show no visible security feature to the unaided eye due to the thin nature of the clear security pattern.

Abstract: The object of the present invention is to effectively enhance card security in a system using identification card or the like. The card security system comprises a card issuing apparatus 100 and a card reader 300. The card issuing apparatus 100 obtains data D and E by reading hologram 2 and barcode 3 on a card 1. Data A, B and C are input from computer 200. An encryption unit 104 generates check data EN based on data A-E. A magnetic writer 103 write the data A-E and EN on a magnetic stripe 4. The card reader 300 reads data A-E and EN from the card 1, generates check data based on the read data A-E, and determines whether or not the card is genuine by comparing the calculated check data with the read check data EN.

Abstract: A method for producing a tamper evident security holographic label and overlaminate using UV casting techniques, and a security device so produced, comprising a clear protective layer; a thin layer of clear UV cured resin cast partly onto the protective layer following a designed pattern; another layer of UV cured resin bearing a cast holographic image, wherein the bond of the holographic image layer is stronger toward the surface of the protective layer than it is toward the surface of the pattern layer; a reflective layer strongly attached to the adjacent holographic layer; and an adhesive layer bonded to the reflective layer. Such a composite product when adhered to a base substrate via the adhesive layer will show no visible security feature to the unaided eye due to the thin nature of the clear security pattern.

Abstract: A structure and method of operation of a fringe direct writing system to produce a hologram or the like. The apparatus is roughly classified into four parts: an illumination part; an image display and optical imaging part; an optically autofocusing part; and a two dimensional moveable stage part. The method of operation directly images a pattern, which is previously calculated by computer and displayed on the LCD panel, onto a recording material. This method affords the possibility to write a fringe pattern in a large region within a short period of time.

Abstract: A method for producing a tamper evident security holographic label and overlaminate using UV casting techniques, and a security device so produced, comprising a clear protective layer; a thin layer of clear UV cured resin cast partly onto the protective layer following a designed pattern; another layer of UV cured resin bearing a cast holographic image, wherein the bond of the holographic image layer is stronger toward the surface of the protective layer than it is toward the surface of the pattern layer; a reflective layer strongly attached to the adjacent holographic layer; and an adhesive layer bonded to the reflective layer. Such a composite product when adhered to a base substrate via the adhesive layer will show no visible security feature to the unaided eye due to the thin nature of the clear security pattern.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a method of automatically decoding holographic signals by establishing an optical clock and performing subsequent optical signal analysis. In addition to a primary holographic image, the present invention comprises an optical image which generates a periodic pattern to create an optical clock for initializing the data reading device. By using a light source illuminating the optical image, diffraction signals are received by the detector(s). With a scanning (swiping) motion, signals of the optical clock and the primary image are read and the signals are processed and compared. The optical pattern can further be processed through an encryption algorithm and stored in a magnetic stripe, computer chip, hand held processor or a host computer for verification.