US4662653A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Optically diffracting security element
Assignee: Siemens Building Technologies AG
•
Filing: 1984-12-14
•
Granted: 1987-05-05
•
Expires: 2004-12-14
Abstract
Abstract A security element for authenticating bank notes, credit cards, security passes and the like is disclosed. The security element incorporates a reflective-type diffraction grating, which grating comprises a continuous layer of reflecting material on which is deposited a layer of dielectric material. Non-continuous reflecting layer portions are embedded in the dielectric material. It is practically impossible to lay bare the diffraction grating without destroying it.
Inventors
- 👤 David L. Greenaway
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 16:12
CPC Classifications
B; B42; B42D; B42D25/00; B42D25/20; B42D25/21; D; D21; D21H; D21H21/00; D21H21/14; D21H21/40; D21H21/44; D21H21/48; B42D25/29; B42D25/30; B42D25/328; B42D25/40; B42D25/405; B42D25/415; B42D25/42; B42D25/43; B42D25/435; G; G02; G02B; G02B5/00; G02B5/18; G02B5/1861; G06; G06K; G06K1/00; G06K1/12; G06K1/126; G06K19/00; G06K19/06; G06K19/08; G06K19/10; G06K19/16; G07; G07F; G07F7/00; G07F7/08; G07F7/086; B42D2033/04; B42D2033/10; B42D2033/16; B42D2033/18; B42D2033/32; B42D2035/02; B42D2035/34; B42D25/36; B42D25/378; B42D25/382; G03; G03H; G03H2250/00; G03H2250/12; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S283/00; Y10S283/904; Y10S428/00; Y10S428/914; Y10S428/915; Y10S428/916
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
85 words
A security element for authenticating sheet material comprising (a) a continuous reflecting layer, (b) a dielectric layer formed contiguous with said continuous reflecting layer, and (c) a plurality of non-continuous reflecting layer portions embedded in said dielectric layer in a predetermined arrangement so as to store authenticity information, said continuous reflecting layer and said reflecting layer portions forming a light-diffracting structure capable of diffracting incident radiation into a particular pattern characteristic of said predetermined arrangement of non-continuous reflecting layer portions, thereby authenticating said sheet material.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
85 words
A security element for authenticating sheet material comprising (a) a continuous reflecting layer, (b) a dielectric layer formed contiguous with said continuous reflecting layer, and (c) a plurality of non-continuous reflecting layer portions embedded in said dielectric layer in a predetermined arrangement so as to store authenticity information, said continuous reflecting layer and said reflecting layer portions forming a light-diffracting structure capable of diffracting incident radiation into a particular pattern characteristic of said predetermined arrangement of non-continuous reflecting layer portions, thereby authenticating said sheet material.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
21 words
The security element of claim 1 wherein said continuous reflecting layer and said non-continuous reflecting layer portions lie in parallel planes.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
28 words
The security element of claim 1 wherein said light diffracting structure formed by said continuous reflecting layer and said plurality of non-continuous reflecting layer portions is a hologram.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
23 words
The security element of claim 1 wherein said continuous reflecting layer and said plurality of non-continuous reflecting layer portions form a diffraction grating.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
22 words
The security element of claim 4 wherein said diffraction grating has a grating constant on the order of 10 microns or less.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
23 words
The security element of claim 1 wherein said security element further comprises a substrate, said continuous reflecting layer being mounted on said substrate.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
34 words
The security element of claim 1 wherein said plurality of non-continuous reflecting layer portions are arranged in a periodic pattern, the period of said pattern being on the order of 10 microns or less.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
122 words
A process for forming a phase-diffractive-type security element capable of diffracting incident light into a characteristic pattern for authenticating sheet materials, said process comprising the steps of (a) depositing a first layer of dielectric material on a first continuous reflecting surface, (b) depositing on said first layer of dielectric material a layer of reflecting material to form a second continuous reflecting surface, (c) removing portions of said second continuous reflecting surface to form a plurality of non-continuous reflecting surface portions arranged in a predetermined pattern and located in a plane separated from the continuous reflecting layer by a predetermined distance to store authenticity information, (d) depositing a second dielectric layer over said plurality of non-continuous reflecting surface portions and said security element.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
122 words
A process for forming a phase-diffractive-type security element capable of diffracting incident light into a characteristic pattern for authenticating sheet materials, said process comprising the steps of (a) depositing a first layer of dielectric material on a first continuous reflecting surface, (b) depositing on said first layer of dielectric material a layer of reflecting material to form a second continuous reflecting surface, (c) removing portions of said second continuous reflecting surface to form a plurality of non-continuous reflecting surface portions arranged in a predetermined pattern and located in a plane separated from the continuous reflecting layer by a predetermined distance to store authenticity information, (d) depositing a second dielectric layer over said plurality of non-continuous reflecting surface portions and said security element.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
41 words
The process of claim 8 wherein said step of removing portions of said second continuous reflecting surface includes the steps of coating said second continuous reflecting surface with a photoresist material and illuminating selected portions of said photoresist material with radiation.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
96 words
A security element for authenticating sheet material comprising a continuous reflecting layer, a dielectric layer formed continuous with said continuous reflecting layer, and a plurality of non-continuous reflecting layer portions embedded in said dielectric layer in a predetermined arrangement in a plane located a predetermined distance from said continuous reflecting layer to store authenticity information, said continuous reflecting layer and said reflecting layer portions forming a light-diffracting structure capable of diffracting incident radiation into a particular pattern characteristic of the predetermined arrangement of noncontinuous reflecting layer portions and said predetermined distance, thereby authenticating said sheet material.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
96 words
A security element for authenticating sheet material comprising a continuous reflecting layer, a dielectric layer formed continuous with said continuous reflecting layer, and a plurality of non-continuous reflecting layer portions embedded in said dielectric layer in a predetermined arrangement in a plane located a predetermined distance from said continuous reflecting layer to store authenticity information, said continuous reflecting layer and said reflecting layer portions forming a light-diffracting structure capable of diffracting incident radiation into a particular pattern characteristic of the predetermined arrangement of noncontinuous reflecting layer portions and said predetermined distance, thereby authenticating said sheet material.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
FR2321158A1
Cited
US4129382A
Cited
US4094575A
Cited
CH635949A5
Cited
GB2054890A
Cited
GB2093404A
Cited
US4476161A
Cited
US4490440A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1990-05-04 | 1990-11-03 | 1991-05-05 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1994-05-04 | 1994-11-03 | 1995-05-05 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1998-05-04 | 1998-11-03 | 1999-05-05 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |