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: 9983335
    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: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignee: OVD KINEGRAM AG
    Inventors: Wayne Robert Tompkin, Andreas Schilling
  • Publication number: 20180134065
    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: Application
    Filed: December 2, 2015
    Publication date: May 17, 2018
    Inventors: Wayne Robert Tompkin, Harald Walter, Rainer Stahl, Rouven Spiess, Rene Staub
  • Publication number: 20180015771
    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 5, 2016
    Publication date: January 18, 2018
    Inventors: Wayne Robert Tompkin, Andreas Schilling, Sebastian Mader
  • Publication number: 20180004156
    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: Application
    Filed: January 11, 2016
    Publication date: January 4, 2018
    Applicants: OVD Kinegram AG, LEONHARD KURZ Stiftung & Co. KG
    Inventors: Andreas Schilling, Wayne Robert Tompkin, Norbert Lutz, Achim Hansen
  • Publication number: 20170368864
    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: Application
    Filed: January 11, 2016
    Publication date: December 28, 2017
    Applicants: LEONHARD KURZ Stiftung & Co. KG, OVD Kinegram AG
    Inventors: Harald Walter, Ludwig Brehm, Sebastian Mader, Wayne Robert Tompkin, Eser Alper Unal
  • Patent number: 9834030
    Abstract: The invention relates to a security element (1). The security element (1) has a viewing side and a back side that is opposite the latter. The security element comprises at least one luminous layer (2) that can emit light (20), and at least one mask layer (4) that, when the security element (1) is viewed from the viewing side, is arranged in front of the at least one luminous layer (2). The at least one mask layer (4) has at least one opaque region (5) and at least two transparent openings (41, 42). The at least two transparent openings (41, 42) has a substantially higher transmittance than the at least one opaque region (5) in respect of light (20) emitted by the at least one luminous layer (2), preferably a transmittance that is at least 20% higher, particularly preferably a transmittance that is at least 50% higher.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2017
    Assignees: OVD KINEGRAM AG, BUNDESDRUCKEREI GMBH
    Inventors: Wayne Robert Tompkin, Harald Walter, Olga Kulikovska, Jorg Fischer, Andre Leopold
  • Patent number: 9796204
    Abstract: The invention relates to a security element (1). The security element (1) has a viewing side and a back side that is opposite the latter. The security element comprises at least one luminous layer (2) that can provide light (20), and at least one mask layer (4) that, when the security element (1) is viewed from the viewing side, is arranged in front of the at least one luminous layer (2). The at least one mask layer (4) has at least one opaque region (5) and at least two transparent openings (41, 42). The at least two transparent openings (41, 42) has a substantially higher transmittance than the at least one opaque region (5) in respect of light (20) provided by the at least one luminous layer (2), preferably a transmittance that is at least 20% higher, particularly preferably a transmittance that is at least 50% higher.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2017
    Assignee: OVD KINEGRAM AG
    Inventors: Wayne Robert Tompkin, Harald Walter, Olga Kulikovska, Jorg Fischer, Andre Leopold
  • Patent number: 9798055
    Abstract: The invention relates to an optically variable element as well as a method for the production thereof. In a first area the optically variable element has at least one first color region which in the event of illumination generates a color dependent on the angle of observation and/or angle of illumination. The first color region has two or more zones (41 to 47) arranged next to each other. The two or more zones arranged next to each other have in each case a width and/or length dimension of less than 300 ?m. In at least one first zone (41) of the zones (41 to 47) of the first color region a thin-film interference filter (15) is provided with at least one interference layer (17). The interference layer (17) of the thin-film interference filter (15) has a first average thickness (d1) in the first zone (41).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2017
    Assignee: OVD KINEGRAM AG
    Inventors: Harald Walter, Wayne Robert Tompkin, Sebastian Mader
  • Patent number: 9779350
    Abstract: A multilayer body with a carrier and a layer arranged thereon which comprises electrically conductive material in such an arrangement comprises an information area and a background area (18) which are galvanically separated from each other. In each information area a first zone (10) with electrically conductive material is provided, over the entirety of which electrically conductive material is conductively connected to it. In each background area a plurality of second zones with electrically conductive material is provided, which are galvanically separated from each other. Each first zone (10) preferably occupies a surface area that is at least five times larger than each of the second zones. The electrically conductive material is preferably provided with an average surface coverage which varies over all information areas and background areas (18) by less than 25%.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2017
    Assignees: POLYIC GMBH & CO. KG, LEONHARD KURZ STIFTUNG & CO. KG, OVD KINEGRAM AG
    Inventors: Walter Fix, Manfred Walter, Wayne Robert Tompkin, Andreas Schilling, Klaus Schmidt, Jurgen Metzger
  • Patent number: 9770934
    Abstract: The invention relates to a multi-layer body (1) comprising a first layer (13) having a multiplicity of first zones (21), which are respectively separated from one another by one or a plurality of transparent second zones (22). The multi-layer body has a second layer (14) composed of a transparent material, said second layer being arranged below the first layer (13), and a reflection layer (15) arranged below the second layer (14). The second layer (14) has a multiplicity of third zones (23), in each of which a microstructure (17) is impressed into the interface—facing away from the first layer—between the second layer (14) and the reflection layer, which is covered with the reflection layer (15).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2017
    Assignee: OVD Kinegram AG
    Inventors: Andreas Schilling, Wayne Robert Tompkin, Achim Hansen
  • Publication number: 20170239898
    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 moulded 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: Application
    Filed: May 11, 2017
    Publication date: August 24, 2017
    Inventors: Wayne Robert Tompkin, Harald Walter
  • Patent number: 9676156
    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: March 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Assignee: OVD KINEGRAM AG
    Inventors: Wayne Robert Tompkin, Harald Walter
  • Patent number: 9592701
    Abstract: The invention relates to a security element (2), in particular in the form of a multi-layer flexible film body, with a top side facing an observer and a back side facing away from the observer, as well as a method for the production thereof. The security element (2) has one or more light-emitting elements arranged in a first area (30) of the security element which radiate light when activated and in particular are formed in each case of a self-luminous, electrically operated, display element. The security element (2) has, in the first area (30), one or more transmissive diffraction structures. The one or more transmissive diffraction structures are arranged such that at least a part of the light radiated by the activated one or more light-emitting elements transmits through at least one partial area of the transmissive diffraction structures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignees: OVD KINEGRAM AG, BUNDESDRUCKEREI GMBH
    Inventors: Jorg Fischer, Olga Kulikovska, Andre Leopold, Sebastian Mader, Wayne Robert Tompkin, Harald Walter
  • Publication number: 20160307035
    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: Application
    Filed: November 28, 2014
    Publication date: October 20, 2016
    Inventors: Andreas Schilling, Uwe Frieser, Benno Schmitzer, Wayne Robert Tompkin, Jurgen Metzger, Ralf Wondratschek, Alexander Gugel
  • Patent number: 9465261
    Abstract: The invention relates to a display device (10), in particular in the form of a multi-layer film body. The display device (10) has, in a first area (22), a first electrode (41), a second electrode (42), a third electrode (43) and a display layer (122) with a display material. The display layer (122) is arranged between the first electrode (41) and the second electrode (42). The third electrode (43) is arranged on the side of the display layer (122) facing away from the first electrode (41). The first electrode (41) is formed as an isolated electrode. The first electrode (41) overlaps both the second electrode (42) and the third electrode (43) at least in areas when viewed perpendicular to the plane spanned by the display layer (122).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2016
    Assignees: POLYIC GMBH & CO. KG, LEONHARD KURZ STIFTUNG & CO. KG, OVD KINEGRAM AG
    Inventors: Rainer Stahl, Klaus Ludwig, Johannes Schad, Wayne Robert Tompkin
  • Patent number: 9465148
    Abstract: Described is a security document with a transparent security element (12) which is arranged in a window or in a transparent region of the security document and has a structure layer, in which a first region (12f) of the structure layer has an asymmetrical diffractive relief structure, wherein the first region (12f) has an optical effect which is unexpectedly different in a front view and in a rear view of the security document.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2016
    Assignee: OVD KINEGRAM AG
    Inventors: Andreas Schilling, Wayne Robert Tompkin, Rene Schaedler
  • Publication number: 20160167422
    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: Application
    Filed: May 6, 2014
    Publication date: June 16, 2016
    Inventors: Ludwig Brehm, Sebastian Mader, Andreas Schilling, Wayne Robert Tompkin, Harald Walter
  • Publication number: 20160161646
    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 9, 2016
    Inventors: Wayne Robert Tompkin, Andreas Schilling
  • Patent number: 9323099
    Abstract: The invention relates to a multi-layered foil body (1) for marking a security document, in particular a banknote. The foil body (1) has at least one color filter layer (2) and at least one change layer (4) with an electrically controllable transmittance and/or an electrically controllable color.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2016
    Assignees: LEONHARD KURZ STIFTUNG & CO. KG., OVD KINEGRAM AG
    Inventors: Rainer Stahl, Wayne Robert Tompkin, Harald Walter
  • Publication number: 20160004950
    Abstract: A multilayer body with a carrier and a layer arranged thereon which comprises electrically conductive material in such an arrangement comprises an information area and a background area (18) which are galvanically separated from each other. In each information area a first zone (10) with electrically conductive material is provided, over the entirety of which electrically conductive material is conductively connected to it. In each background area a plurality of second zones with electrically conductive material is provided, which are galvanically separated from each other. Each first zone (10) preferably occupies a surface area that is at least five times larger than each of the second zones. The electrically conductive material is preferably provided with an average surface coverage which varies over all information areas and background areas (18) by less than 25%.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 26, 2014
    Publication date: January 7, 2016
    Applicant: OVD Kinegram AG
    Inventors: Walter Fix, Manfred Walter, Wayne Robert Tompkin, Andreas Schilling, Klaus Schmidt, Jurgen Metzger