Patents by Inventor Marc Schnieper

Marc Schnieper has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Publication number: 20190298483
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device (4) in the form of a medical prosthesis (9, 17), medical osteosynthesis device, hearing aid or hearing aid housing, essentially made of metal, wherein the device (4, 9, 17) comprises at least one optical diffractive element with a grating (6) which is directly embossed in an exposed metal surface in the form of a security and/or identification element. The invention furthermore relates to methods for making such devices and to uses of such devices.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2019
    Publication date: October 3, 2019
    Applicant: CSEM Centre Suisse d'Electronique de Microtechnique SA
    Inventors: Marcel ESTERMANN, Jasmin Waser, Christian Schneider, Angelique Luu-Dinh, Marc Schnieper, David Kallweit, Roger Krähenbühl, Michael De Wild, Romy Linda Marek
  • Publication number: 20190299266
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing a metal stamp for embossing a nano- or microstructure on a metal device (4), comprising the following steps for producing a 3D structured embossing area (3) on the stamp: a) providing a master (30) having a structured surface (30a), and replicating said master (30a) in the surface of a soft stamp (31); b) forming an imprint (32) on the soft stamp (31a) using a cross-linkable material to form an imprint structured surface (32a), before, while or after contacting an opposite side of the imprint (32) with said surface portion of the metal stamp, and removing said soft-stamp (31) exposing said imprint structured surface (32a); c) etch-opening said surface (32a) using a first set of etching conditions; d) using a second set of etching conditions, different from the first ones, etching the surface of the metal stamp to form said embossing area (3).
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2019
    Publication date: October 3, 2019
    Applicant: CSEM Centre Suisse d'Electronique et de Microtechnique SA
    Inventors: Christian SCHNEIDER, Angélique LUU-DINH, Marc SCHNIEPER, David KALLWEIT, Roger KRÄHENBÜHL, Michael DE WILD, Romy Linda MAREK
  • Patent number: 10198972
    Abstract: A tamper seal includes an optical waveguide arranged to guide a propagating light-beam along a propagation direction. First and second portions of the tamper seal are configured to be arranged on first and second parts, respectively, which are movable relative to each other. The first portion has an input coupler arranged to couple incident light into the optical waveguide, and the second portion has at least one output coupler arranged to couple out of the optical waveguide at least partially light guided in the optical waveguide. The input coupler, the optical waveguide, and the output coupler are configured to transmit light from the input coupler to the output coupler. The waveguide is configured to be disruptable and includes a layer having a distinctive appearance that is changed in response to an at least partial disruption of said optical waveguide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2019
    Assignee: CSEM CENTRE SUISSE D'ELECTRONIQUE ET DE MICROTECHNIQUE SA—RECHERCHE ET DÉVELOPPEMENT
    Inventors: Guillaume Basset, Marc Schnieper
  • Publication number: 20180190159
    Abstract: A tamper seal includes an optical waveguide arranged to guide a propagating light-beam along a propagation direction. First and second portions of the tamper seal are configured to be arranged on first and second parts, respectively, which are movable relative to each other. The first portion has an input coupler arranged to couple incident light into the optical waveguide, and the second portion has at least one output coupler arranged to couple out of the optical waveguide at least partially light guided in the optical waveguide. The input coupler, the optical waveguide, and the output coupler are configured to transmit light from the input coupler to the output coupler. The waveguide is configured to be disruptable and includes a layer having a distinctive appearance that is changed in response to an at least partial disruption of said optical waveguide.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2018
    Publication date: July 5, 2018
    Applicant: CSEM CENTRE SUISSE D'ELECTRONIQUE ET DE MICROTECHNIQUE SA - RECHERCHE ET DÉVELOPPEMENT
    Inventors: Guillaume Basset, Marc Schnieper
  • Patent number: 9592646
    Abstract: A tablet for pharmaceutical use has on at least one part of its surface a diffractive microstructure which generates diffraction effects which can be perceived in the visible spectral range and which serve as visual safety feature. The tablet includes a plurality of individual powder particles, where the diffractive microstructures are impressed into the surface of the individual powder particles. A compression tool to produce such tablets has on one pressing surface of the compression tool micro-structures, where the microstructures have dimensions which are smaller than the dimensions of the individual crystallites of the material of the pressing surface of the compression tool. The micro-structures of the compression tool can be produced for example by ion etching or by imprinting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: CSEM CENTRE SUISSE D'ELECTRONIQUE ET DE MICROTECHNIQUE SA
    Inventors: Alexander Stuck, Harald Walter, Marc Schnieper, Jürgen Söchtig, Christian Zschokke
  • Publication number: 20160225293
    Abstract: A tamper seal includes an optical waveguide arranged to guide a propagating light-beam along a propagation direction. First and second portions of the tamper seal are configured to be arranged on first and second parts, respectively, of an object, said first and a second parts being movable relative to each other. The first portion comprises an input coupler arranged to couple incident light into said optical waveguide. The second portion includes at least one outcoupling surface arranged to couple out at least partially light guided in the optical waveguide. The input coupler, optical waveguide and outcoupling surface are arranged to transmit light from the input coupler to the outcoupling surface. The optical waveguide is further designed to be at least partially disruptable between the two portions, wherein the optical waveguide loses or at least partially changes its optical guiding properties after its disruption.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2014
    Publication date: August 4, 2016
    Applicant: CSEM CENTRE SUISSE D'ELECTRONIQUE ET DE MICROTECHN IQUE SA - RECHERCHE ET DÉVELOPPEMENT
    Inventors: Guillaume Basset, Marc Schnieper
  • Patent number: 9310766
    Abstract: The present invention is in the field of security documents, more particularly in the field of security elements aimed to protect security documents against copying (illegal reproduction) and counterfeiting. It discloses a security element having a security feature which changes its visual appearance after irradiation with light, especially with UV light and at rotation and/or tilting. Security documents comprising said security element, as well as a method for producing said security element, are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2016
    Assignee: BASF SE
    Inventors: Thomas Bolle, Hans Reichert, Michelle Richert, Igor Zhurminsky, Marc Schnieper
  • Patent number: 8923662
    Abstract: A sensor which reacts on influences from an environment. The sensor includes a zero-order diffractive color filter. The zero-order diffractive color filter includes a high-index waveguide layer, a zero-order diffractive grating structure and a layer of an reactive material, wherein the reactive material is in contact with the environment and wherein the reactive material changes its optical properties upon interaction with the environment. The reactive material is embedded in the waveguide layer and/or the reactive material is located at a maximum distance d from the waveguide layer. The distancing is effected by an intra layer having a low index of refraction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    Assignee: CSEM Centre Suisse d'Electronique et de Microtechnique SA—Recherche et Developpement
    Inventors: Alexander Stuck, Harald Walter, Marc Schnieper
  • Patent number: 8824032
    Abstract: A security device including a zero order diffractive microstructure buried within a substrate. One or more optical structures, such as microlenses, may be formed on a surface of the substrate. The optical structures modify the optical characteristics of the zero order diffractive microstructure. Various alternatives or additional optical structures and methods of producing the security device are described in additional embodiments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignee: CSEM Centre Suisse d'Electronique et de Microtechnique S.A.
    Inventors: Marc Schnieper, Alexander Stuck, Harald Walter
  • Publication number: 20130301131
    Abstract: A security Device comprises a zero order diffractive microstructure (5) buried within a substrate (3). One or more further optical structures, such as microlenses (1), may be formed on a surface (2) of the substrate (3). The further optical structures modify the optical characteristics of the zero order diffractive microstructure (5). Various alternatives or additional optical structures and methods of producing them are described in additional embodiments.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 13, 2013
    Publication date: November 14, 2013
    Applicant: CSEM Centre Suisse d Electronique et de Microtechnique S.A.
    Inventors: Marc Schnieper, Alexander Stuck, Harald Walter
  • Publication number: 20130208327
    Abstract: The present invention is in the field of security documents, more particularly in the field of security elements aimed to protect security documents against copying (illegal reproduction) and counterfeiting. It discloses a security element having a security feature which changes its visual appearance after irradiation with light, especially with UV light and at rotation and/or tilting. Security documents comprising said security element, as well as a method for producing said security element, are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2011
    Publication date: August 15, 2013
    Applicant: BASF SE
    Inventors: Thomas Bolle, Hans Reichert, Michelle Richert, Igor Zhurminsky, Marc Schnieper
  • Patent number: 8441727
    Abstract: A security Device comprises a zero order diffractive microstructure (5) buried within a substrate (3). One or more further optical structures, such as microlenses (1), may be formed on a surface (2) of the substrate (3). The further optical structures modify the optical characteristics of the zero order diffractive microstructure (5). Various alternatives or additional optical structures and methods of producing them are described in additional embodiments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2013
    Assignee: CSEM Centre Suisse d'Electronique et de Microtechnique S.A.
    Inventors: Marc Schnieper, Alexander Stuck, Harald Walter
  • Publication number: 20130044375
    Abstract: A security Device comprises a zero order diffractive microstructure (5) buried within a substrate (3). One or more further optical structures, such as microlenses (1), may be formed on a surface (2) of the substrate (3). The further optical structures modify the optical characteristics of the zero order diffractive microstructure (5). Various alternatives or additional optical structures and methods of producing them are described in additional embodiments.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 21, 2012
    Publication date: February 21, 2013
    Applicant: CSEM Centre Suisse d Electronique et de Microtechnique S.A.
    Inventors: Marc Schnieper, Alexander Stuck, Harald Walter
  • Patent number: 8270050
    Abstract: A security device comprises a zero order diffractive microstructure buried within a substrate. One or more further optical structures, such as microlenses, may be formed on a surface of the substrate. The further optical structures modify the optical characteristics of the zero order diffractive microstructure such as by enhancing or reducing the color effect produced by the zero-order diffractive microstructure upon tilting the security device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2012
    Assignee: CSEM Centre Suisse d'Electronique et de Microtechnique S.A.
    Inventors: Marc Schnieper, Alexander Stuck, Harald Walter
  • Patent number: 8259201
    Abstract: A color image sensor has a plurality of pixels. On the pixels zero-order diffractive color filters (DCFs) (1) are arranged. Different zero-order DCFs (1), e.g., DCFs (1) transmitting red, green and blue light, respectively, are allocated to the pixels of the color image sensor. The use of DCFs (1) for color imaging devices brings better defined band-pass or notch filters than the presently used lacquers. The DCFs (1) are more stable with respect to time, temperature and any environmental aggression. The manufacture of the DCF pattern is simpler and cheaper than that of a conventional dye-filter pattern, since the different types of DCFs can be manufactured simultaneously.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Assignee: CSEM Centre Suisse d'Electronique et de Microtechnique SA
    Inventors: Alexander Stuck, Marc Schnieper
  • Patent number: 7787182
    Abstract: The diffractive optical device (1) can be used as a security device in the fields of authentication, identification and security. It comprises a zero-order diffractive color filter (3). The diffractive color filter may consist of a microstructured high-index layer (32) embedded between two low-index layers (31, 33). A mirror layer (4) for reflecting towards the diffractive color filter (3) at least part of light transmitted through the diffractive color filter (3) are provided beneath the diffractive color filter. Thanks to the mirror layer (4), the device (1) has a much higher reflected intensity and much more complex spectra than prior-art diffractive color filters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2010
    Assignee: CSEM Centre Suisse d'Electronique et de Microtechnique SA - Recherche et Developpement
    Inventors: Alexander Stuck, Harald Walter, Marc Schnieper
  • Patent number: 7782509
    Abstract: A security device comprises first zero order diffractive microstructure (1) on a substrate, a second zero order diffractive microstructure (2), and an intermediate light transmissive layer (4) separating the two diffractive microstructures. The spacing (sn,n+1) between the first (1) and second (2) diffractive microstructures is small enough so that optical interferences are produced between the diffractive microstructures. A further light transmissive layer (3) covers the second diffractive microstructure (2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2010
    Assignee: CSEM Centre Suisse d'Electronique et de Microtechnique S.A.
    Inventors: Harald Walter, Marc Schnieper, Alexander Stuck
  • Publication number: 20100143467
    Abstract: A tablet (4) for pharmaceutical use has on at least one part of its surface a diffractive microstructure (11) which generates diffraction effects which can be perceived in the visible spectral range and which serve as visual safety feature. The tablet (4) consists of a plurality of individual powder particles, where the diffractive microstructures (11) are impressed into the surface of the individual powder particles. A compression tool (1, 1a, 1b, 3) to produce such tablets (4) has on one pressing surface of the compression tool (1, 1a, 1b, 3) micro-structures (11), where said microstructures (11) have dimensions which are smaller than the dimensions of the individual crystallites (30) of the material of the pressing surface of the compression tool (1, 1a, 1b, 3). The micro-structures (11) of the compression tool can be produced for example by ion etching or by imprinting.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 12, 2007
    Publication date: June 10, 2010
    Inventors: Alexander Stuck, Harald Walter, Marc Schnieper, Jürgen Sôchtig, Christian Zschokke
  • Publication number: 20090263071
    Abstract: A sensor which reacts on influences from an environment. The sensor includes a zero-order diffractive color filter. The zero-order diffractive color filter includes a high-index waveguide layer, a zero-order diffractive grating structure and a layer of an reactive material, wherein the reactive material is in contact with the environment and wherein the reactive material changes its optical properties upon interaction with the environment. The reactive material is embedded in the waveguide layer and/or the reactive material is located at a maximum distance d from the waveguide layer. The distancing is effected by an intra layer having a low index of refraction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 8, 2009
    Publication date: October 22, 2009
    Inventors: Alexander Stuck, Harald Walter, Marc Schnieper
  • Publication number: 20080057312
    Abstract: An article (1) such as a medicinal tablet or a foodstuff, has a microstructured surface (2). White light incident on the microstructure will be reflected at a number of different wavelengths dependent on the angle of incidence of the white light on the structure. This structure can provide an indication of authenticity of the article.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 7, 2005
    Publication date: March 6, 2008
    Inventors: Harald Walter, Marc Schnieper, Alexander Stuck