A micro-optic device, including: a substrate; a plurality of image elements in an image plane; and a plurality of focusing elements, each focusing element focusing light to a focal point on the image plane and magnifying any portion of an image element falling within the focal point to thereby produce an image pixel projected to a user at one or more viewing angles, the focal point having an extent smaller than the image element, wherein each image element includes an image sub-element having a different discernible level of brightness to elsewhere in the image element, the brightness of each projected image pixel being dependent on the proportion of the focal point filled with the image sub-element, and wherein each image sub-element has one or more attributes in the image plane, such that, from a given viewing angle, the brightness of each projected image pixel is dependent on each attribute of each image sub-element.

A micro-optic device, including: a substrate; a plurality of image elements in an image plane; and a plurality of focusing elements, each focusing element focusing light to a focal point on the image plane and magnifying any portion of an image element falling within the focal point to thereby produce an image pixel projected to a user at one or more viewing angles, the focal point having an extent smaller than the image element, wherein each image element includes an image sub-element having a different discernible level of brightness to elsewhere in the image element, the brightness of each projected image pixel being dependent on the proportion of the focal point filled with the image sub-element, and wherein each image sub-element has one or more attributes in the image plane, such that, from a given viewing angle, the brightness of each projected image pixel is dependent on each attribute of each image sub-element.

A method for verifying an object is furnished with a security element in which the security element is manufactured in a multi-step method with register variations and contains in a check field an individual characteristic feature of the security element in the form of a superimposition of at least two areal regions. The check field of the security element is optically captured by a camera, the area proportions of the superimposed and not superimposed areal regions are determined and from it a check value for the individual characteristic feature of security element is formed and compared with a reference check value, on which a verification result for the object furnished with the security element is created.

A method for verifying an object is furnished with a security element in which the security element is manufactured in a multi-step method with register variations and contains in a check field an individual characteristic feature of the security element in the form of a superimposition of at least two areal regions. The check field of the security element is optically captured by a camera, the area proportions of the superimposed and not superimposed areal regions are determined and from it a check value for the individual characteristic feature of security element is formed and compared with a reference check value, on which a verification result for the object furnished with the security element is created.

A system includes a plurality of optical identifiers and a reader for the optical identifiers. Each optical identifier has an optical substrate and a volume hologram (e.g., with unique data, such as a code page) in the optical substrate. The reader for the optical identifiers includes a laser, and a camera. The laser is configured to direct laser light into a selected one of the optical identifiers that has been placed into the reader to produce an image of the associated volume holograms at the camera. The camera is configured to capture the image. The captured image may be stored in a digital format by the system.

In some implementations, a system is capable of generating identifications that include distinctive line patterns corresponding to different portions of secure customer information. Data indicating an input image, and a dithering matrix representing a two-dimensional array of pixel values is obtained. Pixel values of pixels included in the input image are transformed using the dithering matrix. For each pixel within the input image, the transformation includes identifying a particular pixel value within the dithering matrix that represents a particular pixel within the input image, and adjusting an intensity value of the particular pixel based on attributes of the dithering matrix. A transformed image is generated based on the transformation and then provided for output.

A subwavelength grating displaying a colored image exhibiting a color corresponding to a grating period of a subwavelength grating in reflection directions including a specular reflection direction. A relief surface displaying a reflection image in monochromatic reflected light in reflection directions including a direction different from the specular reflection direction. An optical element has a first state in which neither a colored image nor a reflection image is displayed, a second state in which the colored image is mainly displayed, and a third state in which the reflection image is mainly displayed. A plane in which the optical element is disposed and a plane including a line of sight of an observer form an observation angle therebetween. The optical element is observed in any of the first, second and third states according to the observation angle.

A system includes a plurality of optical identifiers and a reader for the optical identifiers. Each optical identifier has an optical substrate and a volume hologram (e.g., with unique data, such as a code page) in the optical substrate. The reader for the optical identifiers includes a laser, and a camera. The laser is configured to direct laser light into a selected one of the optical identifiers that has been placed into the reader to produce an image of the associated volume holograms at the camera. The camera is configured to capture the image. The captured image may be stored in a digital format by the system.

A secure article including a revelation screen and a combined image, or a set comprising a secure article and another object. The secure article including one of the revelation screen and the combined image and the object comprising or making up the other of the revelation screen and the combined image. The combined image including a plurality of overlapping images. The combined image including a periodic alternation of overlapping image elements in a first direction. The revelation screen including a masking screen element alternating periodically with a non-masking screen element in a second direction. The size of the non-masking screen elements in the second direction is greater than the size, in the first direction, of at least one element of overlapping images, the revelation screen making it possible to observe various revealed images by moving the revelation screen in relation to the combined image and/or by changing the observation angle.

A secure article including a revelation screen and a combined image, or a set comprising a secure article and another object. The secure article including one of the revelation screen and the combined image and the object comprising or making up the other of the revelation screen and the combined image. The combined image including a plurality of overlapping images. The combined image including a periodic alternation of overlapping image elements in a first direction. The revelation screen including a masking screen element alternating periodically with a non-masking screen element in a second direction. The size of the non-masking screen elements in the second direction is greater than the size, in the first direction, of at least one element of overlapping images, the revelation screen making it possible to observe various revealed images by moving the revelation screen in relation to the combined image and/or by changing the observation angle.