Abstract: The present disclosure relates generally to color laser engraving. One claim recites a method of color laser exposing a document, the document comprising a multi-layer structure including a surface layer and one or more sub-layers, the one or more sub-layers including coloring, said method comprising: receiving the document; and selectively providing openings in the surface layer with a laser to expose one or more of the sub-layers, wherein the coloring is perceptible through the openings, and in which the coloring comprises a plurality of different colors arranged in a grouping, with the one or more sub-layers comprising repeated instances of the grouping. Of course, other claims are provided too.

Abstract: The invention provides a composition having laser engraving properties, comprising a host material and an effective amount of a laser enhancing additive. The laser enhancing additive comprises a first quantity of least one of copper potassium iodide (CuKI3) or Copper Iodide (CuI), and a second quantity at least one substance selected from the group consisting of zinc sulfide (ZnS), barium sulfide (BaS), alkyl sulfonate, and thioester. The composition can be engraved with grayscale images by an Nd:Yag laser and can be added to laminates or coatings. The composition can be used during the manufacture of many articles of manufacture, including identification documents.

Abstract: A color laser engraving method engraves a document including a surface layer and one or more sub-layers. The sub-layer includes different colors and orientations of ink. A laser provides openings in the surface layer—to expose color ink in the sub-layer—to create color images and/or text. The different orientations of the colored inks include, e.g., circular, linear and overlapped groupings of ink. A sub-layer preferably includes many repeated instances of the grouping. A digital watermark is embedded in a document via transfer of the digital watermark in an embedded image or text, or by pre-embedding the document via altering intensity of colored inks on the original document card stock. A digital watermark can be carried via modulation with a pseudo-random noise sequence.

Abstract: the invention provides a composition having laser engraving properties, comprising a host material and a laser enhancing additive. The host material comprises a material, such as a polymer, modified by a first process, whereby the host material as modified by the first process has increased thermal conductivity as compared to the host material before the first process. The laser enhancing additive comprises a first quantity of at least one of copper potassium iodide (CuKI3), Copper Iodide (CuI), potassium iodide (KI), sodium iodide (NaI), and aluminum iodide (AlI), and a second quantity of at least one substance selected from the group consisting of zinc sulfide (ZnS), barium sulfide (BaS), alkyl sulfonate, and thioester.

Abstract: the invention provides a composition having laser engraving properties, comprising a host material and a laser enhancing additive. The host material comprises a material, such as a polymer, modified by a first process, whereby the host material as modified by the first process has increased thermal conductivity as compared to the host material before the first process. The laser enhancing additive comprises a first quantity of at least one of copper potassium iodide (CuKI3), Copper Iodide (CuI), potassium iodide (KI), sodium iodide (NaI), and aluminum iodide (AlI), and a second quantity of at least one substance selected from the group consisting of zinc sulfide (ZnS), barium sulfide (BaS), alkyl sulfonate, and thioester.

Abstract: A polyester laminate for an identification document is formed from different polyester materials. One of the polyester materials, such as PCTA, provides a durability property. Another of the polyester materials, such as PETG, provides a layer having a surface with a bonding property for bonding directly to a core without adhesive. The polyester material with the bonding property is selected to enable direct bonding to a printed core layer of TESLIN or polyester through a roll to roll or platen press process.

Abstract: An image destruct material comprises a release layer positioned between an image receiving layer and a base layer. The adhesion between the release layer and the base layer is greater than adhesion between the release layer and the image receiving layer. The release layer material can be used in secure documents that have an image receiving layer, such as used for dye diffusion, mass transfer, ink jet, and xerographic printing. For example, particular implementations are designed for identification documents with a D2T2 image receiving layer. In these implementations, for example, the release layer is in the form of a patterned coating under the image receiving layer. After information is printed on the image receiving layer, an overlaminate is applied over it.

Abstract: An image destruct material comprises a release layer positioned between an image receiving layer and a base layer. The adhesion between the release layer and the base layer is greater than adhesion between the release layer and the image receiving layer. The release layer material can be used in secure documents that have an image receiving layer, such as used for dye diffusion, mass transfer, ink jet, and xerographic printing. For example, particular implementations are designed for identification documents with a D2T2 image receiving layer. In these implementations, for example, the release layer is in the form of a patterned coating under the image receiving layer. After information is printed on the image receiving layer, an overlaminate is applied over it.

Abstract: An identification document manufacturing method makes an identification document with an optically variable security feature by forming a lens structure in the document's lamination layer along with image information. The method provides image information arranged to include at least two different images. The method uses pressure to form a lens profile in a laminate, including combining the laminate with ink representing the image information to form the document. The document is formed together with the laminate and ink such that the lens profile enables display of the at least two different images when the document is viewed at different predetermined angles. An information bearing document comprises a core layer, an image layer depicting at least two different images, and a laminate layer. The laminate layer is pressed on the core layer such that it forms a lens profile that enables display of the at least two different images when the document is viewed at different predetermined angles.

Abstract: The invention provides a composition having laser engraving properties, comprising a host material and an effective amount of a laser enhancing additive. The laser enhancing additive comprises a first quantity of least one of copper potassium iodide (CuKI3) or Copper Iodide (CuI), and a second quantity at least one substance selected from the group consisting of zinc sulfide (ZnS), barium sulfide (BaS), alkyl sulfonate, and thioester. The composition can be engraved with grayscale images by an Nd:Yag laser and can be added to laminates or coatings. The composition can be used during the manufacture of many articles of manufacture, including identification documents.

Abstract: A polyester laminate for an identification document is formed from different polyester materials. One of the polyester materials, such as PCTA, provides a durability property. Another of the polyester materials, such as PETG, provides a layer having a surface with a bonding property for bonding directly to a core without adhesive. The polyester material with the bonding property is selected to enable direct bonding to a printed core layer of TESLIN or polyester through a roll to roll or platen press process.

Abstract: The invention provides an identification document comprising a substantially opaque polycarbonate core layer bearing at least one indicium thereon, two layers of substantially transparent polycarbonate fixed to the core layer on opposed sides thereof, and at least one image-receiving layer capable of being imaged by dye diffusion thermal transfer, the image-receiving layer being fixed to one of the layers of substantially transparent polycarbonate on the side thereof remote from the core layer.

Abstract: A color laser engraving method engraves a document including a surface layer and one or more sub-layers. The sub-layer includes different colors and orientations of ink. A laser provides openings in the surface layer—to expose color ink in the sub-layer—to create color images and/or text. The different orientations of the colored inks include, e.g., circular, linear and overlapped groupings of ink. A sub-layer preferably includes many repeated instances of the grouping. A digital watermark is embedded in a document via transfer of the digital watermark in an embedded image or text, or by pre-embedding the document via altering intensity of colored inks on the original document card stock. A digital watermark can be carried via modulation with a pseudo-random noise sequence.

Abstract: The invention provides a composition having laser engraving properties, comprising a host material and an effective amount of a laser enhancing additive. The laser enhancing additive comprises a first quantity of least one of copper potassium iodide (CuKI3) or Copper Iodide (CuI), and a second quantity at least one substance selected from the group consisting of zinc sulfide (ZnS), barium sulfide (BaS), alkyl sulfonate, and thioester. The composition can be engraved with grayscale images by an Nd:Yag laser and can be added to laminates or coatings. The composition can be used during the manufacture of many articles of manufacture, including identification documents.

Abstract: The present invention provides a camera and camera housing to improve reading digital watermarks. Another aspect of the invention is a method of authenticating identification documents. The identification document includes a first component. A separate overlay is placed over the identification document. The separate overlay includes a second component. The second component is used to resolve the first component. Still another method determines authenticity of a watermark based on a polarity associated with the watermark. The invention also provides an image capture and processing system and methods for portable devices that increase the image capture functionality of the devices, yet enable a compact mechanical design.

Abstract: A method for making a secure identification document with multiple images is provided. Information is provided to an information bearing layer, the information constructed and arranged to be capable of providing multiple images when the printed information is viewed at different predetermined angles through an appropriate lens. At least a portion of the information is covered with a layer of a substantially a transparent film material. A lens profile is embossed onto a first portion of the substantially transparent film material, wherein the first portion of the substantially transparent film material comprises an area that is less than the entire layer of substantially transparent film material and wherein the first location substantially coincides with the location of the information.

Abstract: the invention provides a composition having laser engraving properties, comprising a host material and a laser enhancing additive. The host material comprises a material, such as a polymer, modified by a first process, whereby the host material as modified by the first process has increased thermal conductivity as compared to the host material before the first process. The laser enhancing additive comprises a first quantity of at least one of copper potassium iodide (CuKI3), Copper Iodide (CuI), potassium iodide (KI), sodium iodide (NaI), and aluminum iodide (AlI), and a second quantity of at least one substance selected from the group consisting of zinc sulfide (ZnS), barium sulfide (BaS), alkyl sulfonate, and thioester.

Abstract: The invention provides a composition having laser engraving properties, comprising a host material and an effective amount of a laser enhancing additive. The laser enhancing additive comprises a first quantity of least one of copper potassium iodide (CuKI3) or Copper Iodide (CuI), and a second quantity at least one substance selected from the group consisting of zinc sulfide (ZnS), barium sulfide (BaS), alkyl sulfonate, and thioester. The composition can be engraved with grayscale images by an Nd:Yag laser and can be added to laminates or coatings. The composition can be used during the manufacture of many articles of manufacture, including identification documents.

Abstract: A method for making a secure ID card with multiple images is provided. Information is provided to an information bearing layer, the information constructed and arranged to be capable of providing multiple images when printed information is viewed at different predetermined angles through an appropriate lens. At least a portion of the information is covered with a substantially a transparent film material. A lens profile is embossed on at least a second portion of the film material, the embossing forming a lens on the film material, the lens enabling the information to display multiple images when the information-bearing laminar assembly is viewed at different predetermined angles.