Provided are an automatic continuous image engraving device capable of decreasing in size of an installing space of the device. The device comprises an unengraved medium accommodating part, an engraved medium accommodating part, a medium dispenser, a medium positioning and conveying part, and an image engraving part, wherein the medium dispenser releases the unengraved card-shaped engraving medium to cause the same to be succeeded at the succeeding position, the medium positioning and conveying part returns the engraved card-shaped engraving medium after image engraving from the engraving position to the succeeding position, and the medium dispenser adsorbs the engraved card-shaped engraving medium at the succeeding position, moves the same upward, travels above the engraved medium accommodating part, and releases the engraved card-shaped engraving medium to be accommodated.

The invention proposes a document configured to generate a color image, comprising: a set of pixels printed on or in a substrate, each pixel forming a pattern including an arrangement of sub-pixels of at least two different colors; and an array of lenses disposed opposite the set of pixels so as to generate the color image by focusing or diverging an incident light through the lenses on at least part of the sub-pixels, each lens being positioned, relative to a facing associated pixel, to focus or diverge the incident light on at least one of the sub-pixels of said associated pixel so as to modify the contribution of the respective colors of the sub-pixels of the associated pixel, in a region of the color image generated through said lens, with respect to the pattern intrinsically formed by the associated pixel independently of said lens.

The invention proposes a document configured to generate a color image, comprising: a set of pixels printed on or in a substrate, each pixel forming a pattern including an arrangement of sub-pixels of at least two different colors; and an array of lenses disposed opposite the set of pixels so as to generate the color image by focusing or diverging an incident light through the lenses on at least part of the sub-pixels, each lens being positioned, relative to a facing associated pixel, to focus or diverge the incident light on at least one of the sub-pixels of said associated pixel so as to modify the contribution of the respective colors of the sub-pixels of the associated pixel, in a region of the color image generated through said lens, with respect to the pattern intrinsically formed by the associated pixel independently of said lens.

The invention concerns a method for manufacturing an identification document comprising a body with a first visual marking and a second visual marking, the first and the second visual markings depicting same identification data. The method comprises the following steps of: engraving a first area of the identification document with a first laser beam for obtaining the first visual marking; providing at least one see-through portion in a second area of the identification document; providing an optically variable printing ink patch, laminated to at least one first transparent layer located in the see-through portion; and engraving the surface of the laminated optically variable printing ink patch with a second laser beam for obtaining the second visual marking, said second laser beam having a lower power than the first laser beam.

The invention concerns also the identification document obtained by this method.

The invention concerns a method for manufacturing an identification document comprising a body with a first visual marking and a second visual marking, the first and the second visual markings depicting same identification data. The method comprises the following steps of: engraving a first area of the identification document with a first laser beam for obtaining the first visual marking; providing at least one see-through portion in a second area of the identification document; providing an optically variable printing ink patch, laminated to at least one first transparent layer located in the see-through portion; and engraving the surface of the laminated optically variable printing ink patch with a second laser beam for obtaining the second visual marking, said second laser beam having a lower power than the first laser beam.

The invention concerns also the identification document obtained by this method.

A method for authenticating an article including engraving a circular feature into a verification substrate that includes a plurality of concentric rings within the circular feature arranged in a pattern according to a data encoding schema, wherein at least one of the plurality of rings includes a surface anomaly. The method can include capturing a first image of the circular feature and storing the first image in a memory device. The verification substrate can be attached to an article to traced and/or authenticated. A second image of the circular feature can be captured and compared with the first image to determine if the surface anomaly is present in the second image, thereby authenticating the article.

A micro-optic security device with zonal color transitions includes a planar array of focusing elements, an image icon layer including a plurality of retaining structures, the plurality of retaining structures defining isolated volumes at a first depth within the image icon layer, a first zone of image icons, the first zone of image icons having a first predefined subset of the plurality of retaining structures, wherein the isolated volumes of retaining structures of the first predefined subset of the plurality of retaining structures contain cured pigmented material of a first color, and a second zone of image icons, the second zone of image icons including a second predefined subset of the plurality of retaining structures, wherein the isolated volumes of retaining structures of the second predefined subset of the plurality of retaining structures contain cured pigmented material of a second color, wherein the second color contrasts with the first color.

The present invention describes methods and apparatuses for creating superposition shape images by superposed base and revealing layers of lenslet gratings. The superposition shape images form a message recognizable by a human observer or by an image acquisition and computing device such as a smartphone. The superposition shape images may be created by different superposition techniques ranging from 1D moir, 2D moir and level-line moir superposition techniques to lenticular image and phase shift superposition techniques. Moir superposition techniques enable creating superposition shape images at different apparent depth levels. Applications comprise the protection of documents and valuable articles against counterfeits, the creation of eye-catching advertisements as well as the decoration of buildings and exhibitions.

The present invention describes methods and apparatuses for creating superposition shape images by superposed base and revealing layers of lenslet gratings. The superposition shape images form a message recognizable by a human observer or by an image acquisition and computing device such as a smartphone. The superposition shape images may be created by different superposition techniques ranging from 1D moir, 2D moir and level-line moir superposition techniques to lenticular image and phase shift superposition techniques. Moir superposition techniques enable creating superposition shape images at different apparent depth levels. Applications comprise the protection of documents and valuable articles against counterfeits, the creation of eye-catching advertisements as well as the decoration of buildings and exhibitions.

The present invention provides processes (100, 200, 300, 400) for making a flexible packaging substrate having one or more Fresnel lenses (410, 602) and a product made therefrom. The said process comprises providing one or more Fresnel lenses (410, 602) on a first surface (408a, 610a) of a substrate/film (408, 610); and overlapping a predetermined portion (411, 603) of the Fresnel lenses (410, 602) on the substrate/film (408, 610) by printing or foil stamping. The flexible packaging substrate having one or more Fresnel lenses comprises a substrate (408) having the Fresnel lens or the pattern of Fresnel lenses (410) on the first surface (408a) thereof, wherein a predetermined portion (411) of the Fresnel lenses (410) is covered to hide irregular/uneven/torn edges.