Abstract: A system and method are provided for constructing an optical device having a substrate and a filter layer provided on the substrate. The filter layer includes features that render a first image and gaps between the features. An image layer is provided on the filter layer and includes image elements provided within the gaps between the features. The first image is rendered in reflected light and the second image is rendered 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 second 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 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 includes generating two gray-scale component images having tonal areas that are tonally balanced around at least one tonal value. At least one of the two gray-scale component images includes a representation of the authentication image. The method further includes determining a first pattern of the component image elements for the two gray-scale component images, the first pattern including a first element configuration and at least one element frequency that is equal to or a multiple of one of the decoder lens frequencies. The method includes extracting at least a portion of the content from the component image elements of the two gray-scale component images and constructing a composite image having a second pattern of composite image elements.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method is provided for creating an animation from a plurality of latent images encoded into a visible image, where the encoded visible image is visually similar to the visible image when viewed with a naked eye. The method includes generating, via a processor, a first latent image having a first pattern of elements and assigning a first encoding parameter to the first pattern of elements. A second latent image is generated having a second pattern of elements and a second encoding parameter is assigned to the second pattern of elements, wherein the second encoding parameter is different than the first encoding parameter. The first pattern of elements and the second pattern of elements are embedded in the encoded visible image for decoding using a decoder having decoding parameters that match the corresponding first encoding parameter and the second encoding parameter. The decoded first latent image and the decoded second latent image are sequentially displayed to reveal the animation.

Abstract: A method is provided for encoding a latent image having at least two color components into a visible image. A first and second image associated with first and second color components, respectively, are generated. The first image has a first pattern of elements and the second image has a second pattern of elements that are manipulated based on a corresponding color component provided in the latent image. A first and a second angle are assigned to the first image and the second image, respectively. The first image and second image are aligned by orienting the first pattern of elements according to the first angle and second angle, respectively. The aligned first image and second image are superimposed to render an encoded image that is decoded using a decoder that simultaneously display the first color component and the second color component of the latent image to present a color composite image.

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: An authenticatable object comprises a surface having a latent hidden image embossed therein. The latent image is an encoded version of an authentication image and comprises a plurality of elements applied to the surface with a predetermined frequency. The latent hidden image is configured for optical decoding by a decoder having a decoder frequency corresponding to the predetermined frequency.

Abstract: This invention relates generally to a method and apparatus, as implemented by a software program on a computer system, for digitally producing counterfeit-deterring scrambled or encoded indicia images. This method and system are capable of combining a source image with a latent image so the scrambled latent image is visible only when viewed through a special decoder lens. The digital processing allows different latent images to be encoded according to different parameters. Additionally, latent images might be encoded into single component colors of an original visible image, at various angles from each other.

Abstract: A method is provided for encoding a latent image having at least two color components into a visible image. A first and second image associated with first and second color components, respectively, are generated. The first image has a first pattern of elements and the second image has a second pattern of elements that are manipulated based on a corresponding color component provided in the latent image. A first and a second angle are assigned to the first image and the second image, respectively. The first image and second image are aligned by orienting the first pattern of elements according to the first angle and second angle, respectively. The aligned first image and second image are superimposed to render an encoded image that is decoded using a decoder that simultaneously display the first color component and the second color component of the latent image to present a color composite image.

Abstract: This invention relates generally to a method and apparatus, as implemented by a software program on a computer system, for digitally producing counterfeit-deterring scrambled or encoded indicia images. This method and system are capable of combining a source image with a latent image so the scrambled latent image is visible only when viewed through a special decoder lens. The digital processing allows different latent images to be encoded according to different parameters. Additionally, latent images might be encoded into single component colors of an original visible image, at various angles from each other.

Abstract: A method of authenticating an object using optically decodable encoded images is presented. The method comprises attaching a digital data storage medium to the object and storing an optically decodable digital encoded image in the data storage medium. The digital encoded image comprises authentication information determinable by decoding the digital encoded image. The method further comprises downloading the digital encoded image from the digital data storage medium and applying a digital decoding algorithm to the captured digital image to establish a decoding result. The decoding result is then compared to object authentication criteria to establish an authentication result.

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: This invention relates generally to a method and apparatus, as implemented by a software program on a computer system, for digitally producing counterfeit-deterring scrambled or encoded indicia images. This method and system are capable of combining a source image with a latent image so the scrambled latent image is visible only when viewed through a special decoder lens. The digital processing allows different latent images to be encoded according to different parameters. Additionally, latent images might be encoded into single component colors of an original visible image, at various angles from each other.

Abstract: An illuminated lens device for use in viewing authentication images is disclosed. The device includes a housing having a housing interior. The housing has a proximal end with a proximal aperture and an opposing distal end with a distal aperture. The lens device further includes a lens disposed at least partially within the housing interior. The lens is configured and positioned so that at least a portion of an authentication image is viewable through the proximal aperture when the housing is placed with the distal aperture aligned with and adjacent the at least a portion of the authentication image. The lens device also includes at least one light source disposed within the housing interior. The at least one light source is configured to illuminate the authentication image with light in a predetermined frequency range when the housing is placed with the distal aperture adjacent the authentication image.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of authenticating an article having a hidden image printed on a surface thereof, wherein the image can only be detected when viewed through an optical device.

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 surface to decode encoded indicia printed thereon. The self-authenticating article further comprises an encoded image on the image receiving surface, the encoded image comprising at least one of the set consisting of printed indicia and indicia formed as variations in surface geometry of the image 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 illuminated decoder is disclosed. The illuminated decoder is useful determining genuine items from counterfeit items by decoding encoded images printed on genuine items to reveal an authentication image in low light situations. The illuminated decoder includes a housing, a lens configured for optically decoding encoded images, and at least one light source attached to the housing.

Abstract: A method is provided for determining whether an object is an authentic object to which an expected encoded image has been applied. The expected encoded image having been constructed by encoding an authentication image using a set of one or more encoding parameters. The method comprises receiving a digital image of at least a portion of the test object including a target area where the expected encoded image would be applied if the test object is an authentic object. The method further comprises determining the one or more encoding parameters and applying a digital decoding algorithm to the captured digital image to establish a decoding result. The decoding result may then be compared to object authentication criteria to establish an authentication result. In particular embodiments of the invention, the actions of receiving, determining, applying and comparing are carried out by an authentication server and the digital image is received from an inspection processor over a network.

Abstract: A method is presented for decoding an encoded image produced from a primary image and at least one secondary image using at least one encoding parameter. The encoded image is formed so that when the encoded image is printed, the secondary image is not discernible to a viewer without an optical decoding device having characteristics corresponding to the at least one encoding parameter. The method comprises obtaining a digital version of the encoded image, determining the at least one encoding parameter, and constructing a decoded image from the digital encoded image using at least one of the encoding parameters in the encoding parameter set.

Abstract: A method is provided for determining whether an object is an authentic object to which an expected encoded image has been applied. The expected encoded image having been constructed by encoding an authentication image using a set of one or more encoding parameters. The method comprises receiving a digital image of at least a portion of the test object including a target area where the expected encoded image would be applied if the test object is an authentic object. The method further comprises determining the one or more encoding parameters and applying a digital decoding algorithm to the captured digital image to establish a decoding result. The decoding result may then be compared to object authentication criteria to establish an authentication result. In particular embodiments of the invention, the actions of receiving, determining, applying and comparing are carried out by an authentication server and the digital image is received from an inspection processor over a network.

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.