US5296949A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Optical authentication device
Assignee: Flexcon Co Inc
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Filing: 1992-04-23
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Granted: 1994-03-22
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Expires: 2012-04-23
Abstract
Abstract An optical device for receiving incident light having a minimum wavelength, and for producing a resultant light containing an optical image. The device includes a first material having a first index of refraction and a surface embossed with an optical interference pattern, and a second material having a second index of refraction deposited onto the embossed surface of the first material. The depth of deposition is at least equal to three quarters of the minimum wavelength component of the incident light within the second material.
Inventors
- 👤 John R. Pennace
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 06:23
CPC Classifications
G; G03; G03H; G03H1/00; G03H1/02; G03H1/0252; G03H1/0256; G06; G06K; G06K19/00; G06K19/06; G06K19/08; G06K19/10; G06K19/16; G07; G07F; G07F7/00; G07F7/08; G07F7/086; G03H1/0005; G03H1/0011; G03H1/024; G03H1/0244; G03H1/0276; G03H1/028; G03H1/22; G03H1/2202; G03H2001/2223; G03H2001/2234; G03H2240/00; G03H2240/50; G03H2240/55; G03H2250/00; G03H2250/10; G03H2250/34; G03H2250/36; G03H2250/37; G03H2250/39; G03H2250/40; G03H2250/42; G03H2270/00; G03H2270/20; G03H2270/21; G03H2270/52
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 24
Claim 1
Independent Claim
133 words
An optical device through which incident light passes to produce a resultant light containing an optical image, said incident light including at least one component having a minimum wavelength, said optical device comprising: a first material having a first index of refraction and a surface engraved with a relief pattern, and a second material having a second index of refraction different than said first index of refraction, said second material being deposited onto said surface in the form of a continuous layer having an inner contoured surface which follows said relief pattern and an outer surface which in comparison to said inner surface is substantially smooth, said layer having a minimum depth of deposition at least equal to three quarters of said minimum wavelength component of said incident light within said second material.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
133 words
An optical device through which incident light passes to produce a resultant light containing an optical image, said incident light including at least one component having a minimum wavelength, said optical device comprising: a first material having a first index of refraction and a surface engraved with a relief pattern, and a second material having a second index of refraction different than said first index of refraction, said second material being deposited onto said surface in the form of a continuous layer having an inner contoured surface which follows said relief pattern and an outer surface which in comparison to said inner surface is substantially smooth, said layer having a minimum depth of deposition at least equal to three quarters of said minimum wavelength component of said incident light within said second material.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
28 words
An optical device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said index of refraction of said second material is greater then said index of refraction of said first material.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
27 words
An optical device as claimed in claim 1, further comprising an adhesive third material applied to an exposed surface of one of said first and second materials.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
20 words
An optical device as claimed in claim 3, further comprising a cover material releasably adhered to said adhesive third material.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
17 words
An optical device as claimed in claim 3, wherein said adhesive third material is a contact adhesive.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
23 words
An optical device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said depth of said second material is between about 1,500 Å and 10,000 Å.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
19 words
An optical device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said embossed surface of said first material is substantially planar.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
16 words
An optical device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said first material is an acrylic material.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
17 words
An optical device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said second material is deposited via plasma deposition.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
15 words
An optical device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said second material includes silicon dioxide.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
17 words
An optical device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said optical interference pattern is a diffractive grating.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
17 words
An optical device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said optical interference pattern is a holographic pattern.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
24 words
An optical device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said incident light received by said device for producing said optical image is visible light.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
24 words
An optical device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said incident light received by said device for producing said optical image is ultraviolet light.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
24 words
An optical device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said incident light received by said device for producing said optical image is infrared light.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
19 words
An optical device as claimed in claim 3, further comprising a fifth material adhered to said adhesive third material.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
31 words
An optical device as claimed in claim 16, wherein said fifth material further includes information which may be authenticated by the production of said optical image responsive to said incident light.
Claim 19
Independent Claim
103 words
A method of coating an embossed surface of a first material having a first index of refraction, said first material being capable of receiving an incident light and producing a resultant light containing an optical image, said incident light comprising at least one component having a minimum wavelength, said method comprising the step of: depositing a coating material having a second index of refraction different than said first index of refraction onto said embossed surface of said first material to a depth of deposition at least equal to three quarters of the minimum wavelength component of said incident light within said coating material.
Claim 20
Independent Claim
103 words
A method of coating an embossed surface of a first material having a first index of refraction, said first material being capable of receiving an incident light and producing a resultant light containing an optical image, said incident light comprising at least one component having a minimum wavelength, said method comprising the step of: depositing a coating material having a second index of refraction different than said first index of refraction onto said embossed surface of said first material to a depth of deposition at least equal to three quarters of the minimum wavelength component of said incident light within said coating material.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
108 words
An optical device through which incident light passes to produce a resultant light containing an optical image, said optical device comprising: a first material having a first index of refraction and a surface engraved with a relief pattern; and a second material having a second index of refraction different than said first index of refraction, said second material being deposited onto said surface in the form of a continuous layer having an inner contoured surface which follows said relief pattern and an outer surface which in comparison to said inner surface is substantially smooth, said second material having a minimum depth of deposition of at least 1714 Å.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
108 words
An optical device through which incident light passes to produce a resultant light containing an optical image, said optical device comprising: a first material having a first index of refraction and a surface engraved with a relief pattern; and a second material having a second index of refraction different than said first index of refraction, said second material being deposited onto said surface in the form of a continuous layer having an inner contoured surface which follows said relief pattern and an outer surface which in comparison to said inner surface is substantially smooth, said second material having a minimum depth of deposition of at least 1714 Å.
Claim 23
Independent Claim
113 words
A method of treating a surface of an acrylic material havig a first index of refraction, said method comprising the steps of: engraving said surface with a relief pattern configured to receive an incident light and to produce a resultant light containing an optical image; and depositing a coating material having a second index of refraction greater than said first index of refraction onto said surface of said acrylic material to form a coating layer having an inner surface which follows said relief pattern and an outer surface which is substantially smooth in comparison to said inner surface, and said coating layer having a minimum depth of deposition of at least 1714 Å.
Claim 24
Independent Claim
113 words
A method of treating a surface of an acrylic material havig a first index of refraction, said method comprising the steps of: engraving said surface with a relief pattern configured to receive an incident light and to produce a resultant light containing an optical image; and depositing a coating material having a second index of refraction greater than said first index of refraction onto said surface of said acrylic material to form a coating layer having an inner surface which follows said relief pattern and an outer surface which is substantially smooth in comparison to said inner surface, and said coating layer having a minimum depth of deposition of at least 1714 Å.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
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| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1997-03-21 | 1997-09-20 | 1998-03-22 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2001-03-21 | 2001-09-20 | 2002-03-22 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2005-03-21 | 2005-09-20 | 2006-03-22 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |