Patents by Inventor Robert Tompkins

Robert Tompkins 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).

  • Patent number: 11472216
    Abstract: A method for producing security elements, security elements, a security document with at least one security element as well as a transfer film with at least one security element, wherein a three-dimensional object is recorded and a surface profile of the three-dimensional object, described by a function F(x,y), is determined, wherein the function F(x,y) describes the distance between the surface profile and a two-dimensional reference surface spanned by co-ordinate axes x and y at the co-ordinate points x and y. A first microstructure is determined in such a way that the structure height of the first microstructure is limited to a predetermined value smaller than the maximum distance between the surface profile and the two-dimensional reference surface, and the first microstructure provides an observer with a first optical perception which corresponds to the surface profile of the three-dimensional object described by the function F(x,y).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2022
    Assignee: OVD Kinegram AG
    Inventors: Wayne Robert Tompkin, Andreas Schilling, Sebastian Mader
  • Publication number: 20220105743
    Abstract: The invention relates to a security element (1) with a first volume hologram layer (11), which spans a coordinate system with the coordinate axes x and y (3, 4) perpendicular to each other in an unbent state of the security element (1), wherein a first volume hologram is introduced into the first volume hologram layer (11) in at least one first area (51), wherein the first volume hologram is formed such that a first item of information (21-30) is visible for an observer (7) in a first observation situation in a first predefined bent state of the security element (1) and is not visible in the first observation situation in the unbent state of the security element (1) or vice versa.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 17, 2021
    Publication date: April 7, 2022
    Inventors: Wayne Robert Tompkin, Markus Burkhardt, Norbert Lutz, Harald Walter, Andreas Schilling
  • Patent number: 11077700
    Abstract: A multilayer body includes a transparent first layer. In the transparent first layer, a multiplicity of microlenses arranged in accordance with a microlens grid are impressed in a first region. Furthermore, the multilayer body includes a second layer, which is arranged below the first layer and in a fixed position with respect to the first layer and has a multiplicity of microimages arranged in accordance with a microimage grid and in each case in an at least regional overlap with one of the microlenses of the microlens grid for the purpose of generating a first optically variable information item. The grid pitches of the microimage grid and of the microlens grid in each case in at least one spatial direction are less than 300 ?m.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2021
    Assignee: OVD KINEGRAM AG
    Inventors: Andreas Schilling, Wayne Robert Tompkin, Achim Hansen
  • Patent number: 10926570
    Abstract: A multilayer body (1, 2, 3) and a method for producing a security element are described. The multilayer body has a metal layer (21). An optically active surface relief is molded at least in areas in a first surface of the metal layer (21) facing the upper side of the multilayer body or forming the upper side of the multilayer body and/or in a second surface of the metal layer (21) facing the underside of the multilayer body or forming the underside of the multilayer body. In at least one first area (31 to 39) of the multilayer body the surface relief is formed by a first relief structure (61).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2021
    Assignee: OVD KINEGRAM
    Inventors: Harald Walter, Wayne Robert Tompkin
  • Patent number: 10882351
    Abstract: A method for producing a multilayer body, with the steps of: a) providing a substrate film with a replication layer; b) molding a surface relief appearing to the observer in the form of a three-dimensional free-form surface, which is formed in particular by structures with a lens-like design generating a magnifying, demagnifying or distorting effect, into a surface of the replication layer; c) applying a first metal layer to the surface of the replication layer forming the surface relief; d) wet-chemically applying an at least partially transparent spacer layer to the metal layer; e) applying a second metal layer to the spacer layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2021
    Assignees: LEONHARD KURZ Stiftung & Co. KG, OVD KINEGRAM AG
    Inventors: Harald Walter, Ludwig Brehm, Sebastian Mader, Wayne Robert Tompkin, Eser Alper Unal
  • Patent number: 10759212
    Abstract: The invention relates to a security element (1), a security document (2) with at least one security element (1), a transfer foil (3) with at least one security element (1) as well as a method for producing a security element (1), wherein the security element has at least one layer (11) that is electrically alterable in its optical effect.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2020
    Assignees: LEONHARD KURZ Stiftung & Co. KG, OVD Kinegram AG
    Inventors: Wayne Robert Tompkin, Harald Walter, Rainer Stahl, Rouven Spiess, Rene Staub
  • Publication number: 20200248996
    Abstract: A munition includes a munition body containing explosive material. An electronic subsystem is active between release and detonation of the explosive material. One or more batteries are electrically connected to the electronic subsystem to provide power to the electronic subsystem prior to detonation. The one or more batteries are positioned adjacent to the explosive material to be accelerated outward as corresponding munition projectiles after detonation, increasing the effective payload of the munition by performing dual functions. In one or more embodiments, the explosive material is cylindrically shaped and longitudinally aligned in a warhead section of the munition body. The one or more batteries are annularly positioned on lateral surface of the explosive surface to form a cellular fragmenting structure. In a particular embodiments, the munition body is a missile body containing a rocket propulsion system and the electronic subsystem comprises a missile guidance system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 3, 2019
    Publication date: August 6, 2020
    Inventors: Geremy Kleiser, Christopher Crouse, Christopher Lindsay, Ian Kowalczyk, Walter McCracken, Alan Yeates, Robert Tompkins
  • Publication number: 20200215839
    Abstract: A method for producing security elements, security elements, a security document with at least one security element as well as a transfer film with at least one security element, wherein a three-dimensional object is recorded and a surface profile of the three-dimensional object, described by a function F(x,y), is determined, wherein the function F(x,y) describes the distance between the surface profile and a two-dimensional reference surface spanned by co-ordinate axes x and y at the co-ordinate points x and y. A first microstructure is determined in such a way that the structure height of the first microstructure is limited to a predetermined value smaller than the maximum distance between the surface profile and the two-dimensional reference surface, and the first microstructure provides an observer with a first optical perception which corresponds to the surface profile of the three-dimensional object described by the function F(x,y).
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 13, 2020
    Publication date: July 9, 2020
    Inventors: Wayne Robert Tompkin, Andreas Schilling, Sebastian Mader
  • Patent number: 10642221
    Abstract: A method for producing a volume hologram with at least one first area in a first color and at least one second area in a second color includes, providing a volume hologram layer made of a photopolymer; arranging a master with a surface structure on the volume hologram layer; exposing the master using coherent light, wherein light which is incident on at least one first partial area of the surface of the master is diffracted or reflected in the direction of the at least one first area of the volume hologram layer and light which is incident on at least one second partial area of the surface of the master is diffracted or reflected in the direction of the at least one second area of the volume hologram, and wherein the light diffracted or reflected by the first and second partial areas differs in at least one optical property.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2020
    Assignees: OVD KINEGRAM AG, LEONHARD KURZ STIFTUNG & CO. KG
    Inventors: Andreas Schilling, Wayne Robert Tompkin, Norbert Lutz, Achim Hansen
  • Patent number: 10583680
    Abstract: A method for producing security elements, security elements, a security document with at least one security element as well as a transfer film with at least one security element wherein a three-dimensional object is recorded and a surface profile of the three-dimensional object, described by a function F(x,y), is determined, wherein the function F(x,y) describes the distance between the surface profile and a two-dimensional reference surface spanned by co-ordinate axes x and y at the co-ordinate points x and y. A first microstructure is determined in such a way that the structure height of the first microstructure is limited to a predetermined value smaller than the maximum distance between the surface profile and the two-dimensional reference surface, and the first microstructure provides an observer with a first optical perception which corresponds to the surface profile of the three-dimensional object described by the function F(x,y).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2020
    Assignee: OVD Kinegram AG
    Inventors: Wayne Robert Tompkin, Andreas Schilling, Sebastian Mader
  • Patent number: 10427368
    Abstract: The invention relates to a multi-layer body (10) and a process for the production thereof. The multi-layer body has a first layer (23) with a first surface (231) and a second surface (232) opposite the first surface (231). The first surface (231) of the first layer (23) is defined by a base plane spanned by coordinate axes x and y, wherein a large number of facet faces (50) are molded into the second surface (232) of the first layer (23) in a first area (31). Each of the facet faces (50) is determined by one or more of the parameters F, S, H, P, Ax, Ay and Az, wherein the parameters of the facet faces (50) arranged in the first area (31) are varied pseudorandomly in the first area (31) within a variation range predefined in each case for the first area of surface and wherein a reflective second layer (24) is applied to each of the facet faces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2019
    Assignee: OVD Kinegram AG
    Inventors: Wayne Robert Tompkin, Harald Walter
  • Publication number: 20190092081
    Abstract: A security element with a first volume hologram layer, which spans a coordinate system with the coordinate axes x and y perpendicular to each other in an unbent state of the security element, wherein a first volume hologram is introduced into the first volume hologram layer in at least one first area, wherein the first volume hologram is formed such that a first item of information is visible for an observer in a first observation situation in a first predefined bent state of the security element and is not visible in the first observation situation in the unbent state of the security element or vice versa.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2017
    Publication date: March 28, 2019
    Inventors: Wayne Robert Tompkin, Markus Burkhardt, Norbert Lutz, Harald Walter, Andreas Schilling
  • Patent number: 10195889
    Abstract: An optically variable element has first and second diffraction gratings which are high-frequency and therefore act reflectively into the zero diffraction order. Either a first color is generated by the first diffraction grating at a particular angle of rotation and a particular angle of illumination and simultaneously a second color, different from the first color, is generated by the second diffraction grating or a visible color is generated essentially only by the first diffraction grating at a first angle of rotation and a visible color is generated essentially only by the second diffraction grating at a second angle of rotation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2019
    Assignees: Leonhard Kurz Stiftung & Co. KG, OVD Kinegram AG
    Inventors: Ludwig Brehm, Sebastian Mader, Andreas Schilling, Wayne Robert Tompkin, Harald Walter
  • Patent number: 10112430
    Abstract: The invention relates to a security element (2) with a first area (30) that is transparent in transmitted light. The security element (2) has a substrate (21) which has, in the first area (30), one or more transmissive diffraction structures which display one or more optical security features when observed in transmitted light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2018
    Assignee: OVD KINEGRAM AG
    Inventors: Wayne Robert Tompkin, Harald Walter, Sebastian Mader
  • Publication number: 20180264869
    Abstract: A multilayer body includes a transparent first layer. In the transparent first layer, a multiplicity of microlenses arranged in accordance with a microlens grid are impressed in a first region. Furthermore, the multilayer body includes a second layer, which is arranged below the first layer and in a fixed position with respect to the first layer and has a multiplicity of microimages arranged in accordance with a microimage grid and in each case in an at least regional overlap with one of the microlenses of the microlens grid for the purpose of generating a first optically variable information item. The grid pitches of the microimage grid and of the microlens grid in each case in at least one spatial direction are less than 300 ?m.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 11, 2018
    Publication date: September 20, 2018
    Inventors: Andreas Schilling, Wayne Robert Tompkin, Achim Hansen
  • Publication number: 20180201043
    Abstract: A multilayer body (1, 2, 3) and a method for producing a security element are described. The multilayer body has a metal layer (21). An optically active surface relief is molded at least in areas in a first surface of the metal layer (21) facing the upper side of the multilayer body or forming the upper side of the multilayer body and/or in a second surface of the metal layer (21) facing the underside of the multilayer body or forming the underside of the multilayer body. In at least one first area (31 to 39) of the multilayer body the surface relief is formed by a first relief structure (61).
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 19, 2018
    Publication date: July 19, 2018
    Inventors: Harald Walter, Wayne Robert Tompkin
  • Patent number: 10019626
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for authenticating an optically variable security element (1), in particular a diffractive security element, with the steps: a) capturing an image sequence with at least one individual image of the security element (1) by means of a sensor (31), in particular a hand-held device (3), preferably a smartphone, tablet or a PDA; b) checking whether at least one predetermined item of optical information is present in at least one individual image of the image sequence.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2018
    Assignees: LEONHARD KURZ STIFTUNG & CO. KG, OVD KINEGRAM AG, ADORSYS GMBH & CO. KG
    Inventors: Andreas Schilling, Uwe Frieser, Benno Schmitzer, Wayne Robert Tompkin, Jurgen Metzger, Ralf Wondratschek, Alexander Gugel
  • Patent number: 10007233
    Abstract: A decorative element (2), in particular in the form of a transfer film, a laminating film or a security thread, as well as a security document with a decorative element and a method for producing same is described. The decorative element (2) has a microstructure (4) which generates an optical effect in incident light and/or with light passing through. In a first area (32), the microstructure (4) has a base surface (40) and several base elements (41) which have in each case an element surface raised or lowered compared with the base surface (40) and a flank arranged between the element surface and the base surface (40). The base surface (40) of the microstructure defines a base plane spanned by coordinate axes x and y. The element surfaces of the base elements (41) in each case run substantially parallel to the base plane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2018
    Assignee: OVD Kinegram AG
    Inventors: Andreas Schilling, Sebastian Mader, Rene Staub, Wayne Robert Tompkin, Harald Walter
  • Publication number: 20180164478
    Abstract: The invention concerns a film element having a replication layer (43), wherein an optically active surface structure (27) is shaped in a first surface of the replication layer. The surface structure is formed in at least a first region of the film element (35) by a first diffractive surface relief (46) comprising a plurality of successive elements following a first envelope curve (47), wherein the elements respectively comprise an element surface (48) arranged substantially parallel to a base surface and at least one flank adjoining the adjacent element surface or surfaces, the element surfaces (48) of adjacent elements are spaced in a direction perpendicular to the base plane, with a first optical spacing or a plurality of the first optical spacing, wherein the first optical spacing is between 150 nm and 800 nm, preferably between 150 nm and 400 nm.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 3, 2014
    Publication date: June 14, 2018
    Inventors: Wayne Robert Tompkin, Andreas Schilling
  • Patent number: 9994062
    Abstract: A multilayer body includes a transparent first layer. In the transparent first layer, a multiplicity microlenses arranged in accordance with a microlens grid are impressed in a first region. Furthermore, the multilayer body includes a second layer, which is arranged below the first layer and in a fixed position with respect to the first layer and has a multiplicity of microimages arranged in accordance with a microimage grid and in each case in an at least regional overlap with one of the microlenses of the microlens grid for the purpose of generating a first optically variable information item. The grid pitches of the microimage grid and of the microlens grid in each case in at least one spatial direction are less than 300 ?m.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: OVD KINEGRAM AG
    Inventors: Andreas Schilling, Wayne Robert Tompkin, Achim Hansen