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.

The present disclosure relates to a system and method for designating, for a hologram, a color to be implemented, by forming a certain pattern on a dithering mask, such that a hologram structure may express a particular structural color. To this end, the present disclosure may include an image obtaining unit configured to obtain an original image; an encryption unit configured to convert original colors of respective pixels included in the original image into encrypted colors, according to a predefined standard; a pattern data generation unit configured to generate, based on the encrypted colors, pattern data including dithering patterns corresponding to the respective pixels; and a pattern forming unit configured to form, based on the pattern data, a mask pattern on a dithering mask.

An authentication medium includes a sheet-like laminate sheet; a first region that is formed on the laminate sheet and where personal identification information is recorded; and a second region that is formed on the laminate sheet and has a hologram structure where check data associated with first individual information is recorded.

Variable digital optical images may be fabricated using generic optical matrices. A generic optical matrix may have pixels corresponding to color and subpixels corresponding to noncolor effects. The pixels may include first pixels corresponding to a first color and second pixels corresponding to a second color. The subpixels may include first subpixels corresponding to a first noncolor effect and second subpixels corresponding to a second noncolor effect. Individual ones of the pixels and/or subpixels of the generic optical matrix may be obliterated according to a negative while remaining pixels and/or subpixels may be preserved. The remaining pixels and/or subpixels may form an optical image corresponding to a base image. The optical image may be colored based on the remaining pixels. The optical image may exhibit noncolor effects corresponding to the remaining subpixels. The optical image may comprise a hologram or a stereo image.

A holographic security or identification device (10) comprises an object, or a flexible substrate (12) configured to be conformable to a desired, curved shape; and a plurality of structures (14) formed on or in the object to have a desired curved configuration, or formed in or associated with the substrate and arranged to adopt a desired curved configuration when the substrate is conformed to a desired shape, wherein the plurality of structures (14) are configured to receive light (20) of a selected at least one wavelength or range of wavelengths and to produce, using the received light, a desired holographic image (22) for security or identification purposes when in the desired configuration.

A hologram that includes a formation layer and a reflection layer that are laminated. The formation layer has an optical phase modulation structure on a first interface in contact with the reflection layer. When reference light emitted from a point light source enters through a second interface different from the first interface of the formation layer, the entirety or part of an image to be reconstructed by the optical phase modulation structure is reconstructed as spatial information on the point light source side relative to the second interface.

Variable digital optical images may be fabricated using generic optical matrices. A generic optical matrix may have pixels corresponding to color and subpixels corresponding to noncolor effects. The pixels may include first pixels corresponding to a first color and second pixels corresponding to a second color. The subpixels may include first subpixels corresponding to a first noncolor effect and second subpixels corresponding to a second noncolor effect. Individual ones of the pixels and/or subpixels of the generic optical matrix may be obliterated according to a negative while remaining pixels and/or subpixels may be preserved. The remaining pixels and/or subpixels may form an optical image corresponding to a base image. The optical image may be colored based on the remaining pixels. The optical image may exhibit noncolor effects corresponding to the remaining subpixels. The optical image may comprise a hologram or a stereo image.

There are provided volume holograms and combinations of lenticular lenses and holograms in particular for security applications. In embodiments, a volume hologram comprises a holographic medium (102) including a first optical interference structure which, upon illumination, replays a first image (110); wherein the first image includes a lenticular lens layer (111) including an array of lenticules and a lenticular image layer (113) including first (114) and second (115) interlaced images corresponding with the array of lenticules.

A method and system for forming a holographic structure in a material. The holographic structure is configured to project a selected target image in the far field under illumination of the holographic structure by a laser. The method calculates a modified design for the holographic structure that encodes a unique identifier within the holographic structure for projecting the target image. The method modifies the material by mapping features corresponding to the modified design into the material so as to form the holographic structure. A basic check of the authenticity of the material is performed by checking whether a projected replica of the target image is as expected. A more detailed check of the authenticity of the material is performed by directly inspecting the features in the holographic structure.

Variable digital optical images may be fabricated using generic optical matrices. A generic optical matrix may have a substrate and a plurality of pixels corresponding to color and sub-pixels corresponding to non-color effects. The pixels may include first pixels corresponding to a first color and second pixels corresponding to a second color. The sub-pixels may include first sub-pixels corresponding to a first non-color effect and second sub-pixels corresponding to a second non-color effect. Individual ones of the pixels and sub-pixels of the generic optical matrix may be obliterated according to a negative while remaining pixels and/or sub-pixels may be preserved. The remaining pixels and sub-pixels may form an optical image corresponding to a base image. The optical image may be colored based on the remaining pixels. The optical image may exhibit non-color effects corresponding to the remaining sub-pixels. The optical image may comprise a hologram or a stereo image.