Patents by Inventor Robert Laird Stewart
Robert Laird Stewart 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).
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Publication number: 20240051325Abstract: A method of designing at least an area of a printed image in a security feature is provided. The security feature comprises an array of optical elements overlaying the printed image.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 14, 2021Publication date: February 15, 2024Applicant: Koenig & Bauer Banknote Solutions SAInventor: Robert Laird Stewart
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Patent number: 11872834Abstract: Methods for designing and producing a security feature are provided. In general, the present disclosure provides methods of designing a printed image in a security feature, the security feature comprising an array of optical elements overlaying the printed image, wherein the printed image comprises a two dimensional matrix of rows and columns of pixels, the method comprising; correcting for a mismatch between the pixels of the printed image and the array of optical elements by doing one or more of: adding one or more pixels; removing one or more pixels; and moving one or more pixels.Type: GrantFiled: April 28, 2021Date of Patent: January 16, 2024Assignee: Koenig & Bauer Banknote Solutions SAInventor: Robert Laird Stewart
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Publication number: 20230166557Abstract: Methods for designing and producing a security feature are provided. In general, the present disclosure provides methods of designing a printed image in a security feature, the security feature comprising an array of optical elements overlaying the printed image, wherein the printed image comprises a two dimensional matrix of rows and columns of pixels, the method comprising; correcting for a mismatch between the pixels of the printed image and the array of optical elements by doing one or more of: adding one or more pixels; removing one or more pixels; and moving one or more pixels.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 28, 2021Publication date: June 1, 2023Applicant: Koenig & Bauer Banknote Solutions SAInventor: Robert Laird Stewart
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Publication number: 20180293830Abstract: An authentication apparatus is operative to determine the authenticity of a polymer film, The authentication apparatus comprises an optically-based birefringence measuring apparatus and may be used to determine the authenticity of a banknote comprising a polymer film.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 12, 2016Publication date: October 11, 2018Inventor: Robert Laird STEWART
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Patent number: 9878572Abstract: The present invention provides a security document and method of production thereof. The security document (10) comprises: a polymer substrate (12) having first (14) and second (22) surfaces; a security feature (16) formed in a region of at least one of said first and second surfaces of said polymer substrate; an opacifying layer (18, 24) formed on at least a portion of at least one of said first and second surfaces of said polymer substrate; a printed design formed on at least a portion of said opacifying layer; and wherein said security feature is formed at least prior to said printed design being formed.Type: GrantFiled: July 28, 2010Date of Patent: January 30, 2018Assignee: INNOVIA FILMS LIMITEDInventors: Robert Laird Stewart, Steven Maude
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Publication number: 20170299374Abstract: A method of authenticating a polymer film comprises measuring the thickness of a layer therein by white light interferometry and/or measuring the birefringence of a layer therein. The method, and devices to carry out the method, may be used in security applications, for example to test for counterfeit bank notes.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 30, 2017Publication date: October 19, 2017Inventor: Robert Laird STEWART
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Patent number: 9739597Abstract: A method of authenticating a polymer film comprises measuring the thickness of a layer therein by white light interferometry and/or measuring the birefringence of a layer therein. The method, and devices to carry out the method, may be used in security applications, for example to test for counterfeit bank notes.Type: GrantFiled: April 28, 2009Date of Patent: August 22, 2017Assignee: INNOVIA FILMS LIMITEDInventor: Robert Laird Stewart
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Patent number: 9721416Abstract: The present invention provides an authentication apparatus operative to determine the authenticity of a polymer film, comprising an optically-based birefringence measuring arrangement operative to measure a first effect influenced by a birefringence characteristic of said film from a first angle comprising a non-normal angle to a plane of said film, and at least one of: a second angle; and a third angle; and wherein said apparatus is operative to: compare a value, or range of values, representative of said first effect as measured from said first angle with a value, or range of values representative of a specified first effect corresponding to a predetermined birefringence characteristic of an authentic polymer film for said first angle; compare a value, or range of values, representative of said first effect as measured from said at least one of said second and third angles with a value, or range of values representative of a specified first effect corresponding to a predetermined birefringence characteristiType: GrantFiled: April 30, 2014Date of Patent: August 1, 2017Assignee: INNOVIA FILMS LIMITEDInventor: Robert Laird Stewart
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Patent number: 9666009Abstract: The present invention provides an authentication apparatus operative to determine the authenticity of a polymer film, comprising: an optical response modifier operative to modify a first effect influenced by said birefringence characteristic of said to a modified first effect; and an optically-based birefringence measuring arrangement operative to measure said modified first effect; and wherein said apparatus is operative to: compare a value, or range of values, representative of said modified first effect as measured with a value, or range of values representative of a specified first effect as modified by a same optical response modifier and corresponding to a predetermined birefringence characteristic of an authentic polymer film; and output an authenticity signal indicative of authenticity or otherwise of said film based upon said comparison. There are also provided one or more methods of determining the authenticity of a polymer film.Type: GrantFiled: April 30, 2014Date of Patent: May 30, 2017Assignee: INNOVIA FILMS LIMITEDInventor: Robert Laird Stewart
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Publication number: 20160086411Abstract: The present invention provides an authentication apparatus operative to determine the authenticity of a polymer film, comprising an optically-based birefringence measuring arrangement operative to measure a first effect influenced by a birefringence characteristic of said film from a first angle comprising a non-normal angle to a plane of said film, and at least one of: a second angle; and a third angle; and wherein said apparatus is operative to: compare a value, or range of values, representative of said first effect as measured from said first angle with a value, or range of values representative of a specified first effect corresponding to a predetermined birefringence characteristic of an authentic polymer film for said first angle; compare a value, or range of values, representative of said first effect as measured from said at least one of said second and third angles with a value, or range of values representative of a specified first effect corresponding to a predetermined birefringence characteristiType: ApplicationFiled: April 30, 2014Publication date: March 24, 2016Inventor: Robert Laird STEWART
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Publication number: 20160078707Abstract: The present invention provides an authentication apparatus operative to determine the authenticity of a polymer film, comprising: an optical response modifier operative to modify a first effect influenced by said birefringence characteristic of said to a modified first effect; and an optically-based birefringence measuring arrangement operative to measure said modified first effect; and wherein said apparatus is operative to: compare a value, or range of values, representative of said modified first effect as measured with a value, or range of values representative of a specified first effect as modified by a same optical response modifier and corresponding to a predetermined birefringence characteristic of an authentic polymer film; and output an authenticity signal indicative of authenticity or otherwise of said film based upon said comparison. There are also provided one or more methods of determining the authenticity of a polymer film.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 30, 2014Publication date: March 17, 2016Applicant: INNOVIA FILMS LIMITEDInventor: Robert Laird STEWART
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Publication number: 20160063790Abstract: The present invention provides an authentication apparatus operative to determine the authenticity of a polymer film, comprising an optically-based measuring arrangement operative to measure a first effect influenced by a birefringence characteristic of said film and a second effect influenced by another optical characteristic of said film, and wherein said apparatus is operative to: compare a value, or range of values, representative of said first effect with a value, or range of values representative of a specified first effect corresponding to a predetermined birefringence characteristic of an authentic polymer film; compare a value, or range of values, representative of said second effect with a value, or range of values representative of a specified second effect corresponding to a predetermined other optical characteristic of an authentic polymer film; and output an authenticity signal indicative of authenticity or otherwise of said film based upon one or both of said comparisons.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 30, 2014Publication date: March 3, 2016Inventor: Robert Laird STEWART
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Publication number: 20130335732Abstract: A method of authenticating a polymer film comprises measuring the thickness of a layer therein by white light interferometry and/or measuring the birefringence of a layer therein. The method, and devices to carry out the method, may be used in security applications, for example to test for counterfeit bank notes.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 22, 2013Publication date: December 19, 2013Applicant: INNOVIA FILMS SARLInventor: Robert Laird Stewart
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Publication number: 20120306189Abstract: There is described a method of tracking an article (30) and protecting it against tampering and counterfeiting, the method comprising the steps of providing an article; providing a film (1c) for wrapping or labelling the article; marking the film with a code (5c); defining an area of interest (35) on the article or the film; wrapping or labelling the article with the film so that the code at least partially overlays the area of interest to define a tracking zone in the region of the at least partial overlay; imaging the tracking zone of the wrapped or labelled article; and storing the imaged date for identifying the article. There is also described, use of a frequency-tripled neodymium-doped yttrium aluminium garnet (nd:YAG) laser in marking a code (5c) on a film (1c), the code comprising an at least partly random pattern of perforations (21, 23, 25).Type: ApplicationFiled: February 16, 2011Publication date: December 6, 2012Applicant: INNOVIA FILMS SARLInventors: Robert Laird Stewart, Thierry Gavel
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Publication number: 20120187673Abstract: The present invention provides a security document and method of production thereof. The security document (10) comprises: a polymer substrate (12) having first (14) and second (22) surfaces; a security feature (16) formed in a region of at least one of said first and second surfaces of said polymer substrate; an opacifying layer (18, 24) formed on at least a portion of at least one of said first and second surfaces of said polymer substrate; a printed design formed on at least a portion of said opacifying layer; and wherein said security feature is formed at least prior to said printed design being formed.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 28, 2010Publication date: July 26, 2012Applicant: INNOVIA FILMS LIMITEDInventors: Robert Laird Stewart, Steven Maude
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Publication number: 20110043821Abstract: A method of authenticating a polymer film comprises measuring the thickness of a layer therein by white light interferometry and/or measuring the birefringence of a layer therein. The method, and devices to carry out the method, may be used in security applications, for example to test for counterfeit bank notes.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 28, 2009Publication date: February 24, 2011Applicant: INNOVIA FILMS SARLInventor: Robert Laird Stewart