This application relates to the technical field of optical films, and discloses a micro-optical imaging film and an imaging apparatus. The micro-optical imaging film includes a body; focusing structures and pattern structures being formed on the body, the focusing structures and pattern structures being adapted to each other, so as to form an image; and e cover structures covering exterior surfaces of at least part of the focusing structures, wherein materials of the cover structures and the focusing structures are different, and a difference between a refractive index of the cover structures and a refractive index of the focusing structures is greater than or equal to 0.05. With the technical solution contained in the embodiments of this application, a capability of the imaging film to resist ambient environmental pollutions may be improved.

A security device is presented, including: an array of focusing elements, each focusing element being adapted to focus light in at least two orthogonal directions, the focusing elements being arranged on a regular two-dimensional grid; and an array of elongate image elements overlapping the array of focusing elements, configured such that each focusing element can direct light from any one of a respective set of at least two elongate image elements to the viewer, in dependence on the viewing angle. In a first region of the security device, the elongate image elements extend along a first direction, and in a second region of the security device, the elongate image elements extend along a second direction which is different to the first direction.

The present invention relates to a method for producing three-dimensional macroscopic patterns in liquid-crystalline coatings, patterned layers containing liquid-crystalline materials and produced by said method, and the use thereof in decorative and security products. In the method, the liquid-crystalline coating in a non-solidified state is brought into contact with a printing form for a relief printing method, with the result that depressions which are not deeper than 10 μm arise in the coating.

The present invention relates to a method for producing three-dimensional macroscopic patterns in liquid-crystalline coatings, patterned layers containing liquid-crystalline materials and produced by said method, and the use thereof in decorative and security products. In the method, the liquid-crystalline coating in a non-solidified state is brought into contact with a printing form for a relief printing method, with the result that depressions which are not deeper than 10 μm arise in the coating.

The present invention relates generally to an optical security device and an optical security system in which hidden images that are invisible to the naked eye under unpolarized illumination, become visible under either linearly or circularly polarized illumination. Preferred fabrication methods of said optical security device are disclosed.

The present invention relates generally to an optical security device and an optical security system in which hidden images that are invisible to the naked eye under unpolarized illumination, become visible under either linearly or circularly polarized illumination. Preferred fabrication methods of said optical security device are disclosed.

A multilayer card-shaped data carrier has a core layer based on paper, with an individualization formed in the layer. At least a part of the area of the data carrier is deformed into a relief which has a viewing angle-dependent optical effect and which extends into the core layer through the cover layer.

A multilayer card-shaped data carrier has a core layer based on paper, with an individualization formed in the layer. At least a part of the area of the data carrier is deformed into a relief which has a viewing angle-dependent optical effect and which extends into the core layer through the cover layer.

A data carrier having at least one optically variable element, at least one surface element, and at least one security element comprising at least part of the at least one optically variable element and at least part of the at least one surface element. The at least one surface element is configured to guide impinging electromagnetic radiation towards the at least one optically variable element. The data carrier is configured such, that electromagnetic radiation is impinging on the at least one surface element under at least a first arrival angle when the data carrier is seen under a first observation angle, and such, that electromagnetic radiation is impinging on the at least one surface element under at least a second arrival angle being different from the first arrival angle when the data carrier is seen under a second observation angle being different from the first observation angle. The at least one optically variable element is configured to reflect at least a first reflection spectrum upon impingement of the electromagnetic radiation being impinging on the at least one surface element under the first arrival angle, whereby the at least one security element appears according to at least a first appearance, and is further configured to reflect at least a second reflection spectrum upon impingement of the electromagnetic radiation being impinging on the at least one surface element under the second arrival angle, whereby the at least one security element appears according to at least a second appearance being different from the first appearance.

According to examples, an article may include a base layer that extends along a first dimension and a second dimension, in which the second dimension is orthogonal to the first dimension. The article may also include reflective ribbons provided on an upper surface of the base layer, in which the reflective ribbons positioned along a common plane extending in the second dimension have dihedral angles that change as a function of distance across the common plane.