Abstract: A method is provided for producing an authenticatable object that includes providing a decoder lens having a lens pattern and providing an array of image elements having an image pattern that corresponds to the lens pattern. The decoder lens is disposed a substantially uniform distance from the array of image elements such that the decoder lens reveals a visible image that includes at least a portion of the image elements, the image elements being adjusted in size by a zoom factor so that the visible image appears to float above a given plane when viewed at different angles through the decoder lens. Alternatively, the image elements may be adjusted in size by a zoom factor and selected image elements may be flipped so that the visible image appears to float above a given plane in different directions when viewed at different angles through the decoder lens.

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 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 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: 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: 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: A method is provided for determining whether a test object is an authentic object having an authentication image applied to an authentication image area thereof. The method comprises positioning and orienting a portable image acquisition device for selectively viewing and capturing a magnified image of a target surface area of the test object. The target surface area corresponds to the authentication image area of an authentic object. The method further comprises capturing a magnified digital image of the target surface area using the image capture acquisition device. The captured digital image is then processed to obtain a processed digital image and an authentication result is determined based on whether the processed digital image meets predetermined authentication criteria.

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 image acquisition device is provided for use in determining whether a test object is an authentic object having an authentication image applied to an authentication image area thereof. The authentication image includes indicia formed based on authentication parameters. The image acquisition device comprises an image capture arrangement configured for capturing a digital image of a target area of a test object. The image acquisition device further comprises a data processor having an image processing portion configured for receiving and processing the digital image to produce a processing result. The processing result may be established at least in part using one or more of the authentication parameters.

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.