Abstract: Systems and methods for authentication of a consumer product are provided herein. An embodiment of a method for authentication of a consumer product includes providing the consumer product, optionally with packaging material associated therewith. Filtered light from an intrinsic portion of the consumer product or packaging material associated therewith is detected using a photodetector of a portable computing device to produce at least one single-color image data set representative of the intrinsic portion for at least one color. The at least one single-color image data set is compared with a stored data set that is representative of authentic information for the intrinsic portion using a microprocessor of the portable computing device, with the comparison conducted independent of and separate from any analysis of non-color data obtained from preconfigured security features. An indication of authenticity of the consumer product is provided based upon the comparison.

Abstract: Systems and methods for authentication of a consumer product are provided herein. An embodiment of a method for authentication of a consumer product includes providing the consumer product, optionally with packaging material associated therewith. Filtered light from an intrinsic portion of the consumer product or packaging material associated therewith is detected using a photodetector of a portable computing device to produce at least one single-color image data set representative of the intrinsic portion for at least one color. The at least one single-color image data set is compared with a stored data set that is representative of authentic information for the intrinsic portion using a microprocessor of the portable computing device, with the comparison conducted independent of and separate from any analysis of non-color data obtained from preconfigured security features. An indication of authenticity of the consumer product is provided based upon the comparison.

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 article is a substrate having a diffractive grating thereon, coated with a windowed high index layer and a color shifting coating visible through the window. The color shifting coating is disposed on the high index layer or on the opposite side of the substrate. Alternatively, a thin film color shifting structure conforming the diffractive grating is disposed between the grating and the windowed high index layer, also conforming to the shape of the diffractive grating. Alternatively, an ink with low density of color shifting pigments is applied over the high index layer conforming to the shape of the diffractive grating. The resulting color shifting image provides a reference to a holographic image.

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 security article is a substrate having a diffractive grating thereon, coated with a windowed high index layer and a color shifting coating visible through the window. The color shifting coating is disposed on the high index layer or on the opposite side of the substrate. Alternatively, a thin film color shifting structure conforming the diffractive grating is disposed between the grating and the windowed high index layer, also conforming to the shape of the diffractive grating. Alternatively, an ink with low density of color shifting pigments is applied over the high index layer conforming to the shape of the diffractive grating. The resulting color shifting image provides a reference to a holographic image.