The invention provides a method for generation of an orientation pattern in a photo-alignable material using parallax optic. The invention further provides optical devices comprising a parallax optical element and an element with patterned optical anisotropic properties. Such devices have angular dependent, optically anisotropic properties, which are useful for various applications.

An optical security device suitable for securing or authenticating high security or high value articles of manufacture when affixed thereto, is provided. The inventive security device produces optically variable effects when viewed from varying points of view and is made up of a microstructured layer having image icon elements that have at least one pigmented material. The microstructured layer is arranged relative to an arrangement of focusing elements such that at least portions of the image icon elements are observable through at least portions of the arrangement of focusing elements, thereby providing at least one synthetic image that demonstrates a color-transition effect as points of view from which the optical security device is viewed are changed. In one particular embodiment, the optical security device comprises (i) an arrangement of image icon elements having a first contrasting material pattern and a second contrasting material pattern; (ii) a fixed arrangement of focusing elements disposed relative to the arrangement of image icon elements such that the image icon elements project a synthetic image when viewed through the focusing elements, and having a first fixed org-pattern (as defined herein) that is mismatched from the at least one of the patterns of the first and second contrasting materials; where the synthetic image is a projection of both the first and second contrasting material when viewed from at least one angle.

An optical security device suitable for securing or authenticating high security or high value articles of manufacture when affixed thereto, is provided. The inventive security device produces optically variable effects when viewed from varying points of view and is made up of a microstructured layer having image icon elements that have at least one pigmented material. The microstructured layer is arranged relative to an arrangement of focusing elements such that at least portions of the image icon elements are observable through at least portions of the arrangement of focusing elements, thereby providing at least one synthetic image that demonstrates a color-transition effect as points of view from which the optical security device is viewed are changed. In one particular embodiment, the optical security device comprises (i) an arrangement of image icon elements having a first contrasting material pattern and a second contrasting material pattern; (ii) a fixed arrangement of focusing elements disposed relative to the arrangement of image icon elements such that the image icon elements project a synthetic image when viewed through the focusing elements, and having a first fixed org-pattern (as defined herein) that is mismatched from the at least one of the patterns of the first and second contrasting materials; where the synthetic image is a projection of both the first and second contrasting material when viewed from at least one angle.

A diffractive security device is disclosed including at least a first diffractive structure defined in a carrier layer. The first diffractive structure is an on-axis diffractive zone plate structure of a continuously curved surface configured such that when the device is illuminated by on-axis light a first diffraction pattern generated by the first diffractive structure can be viewed from at least a first side of the device at substantially all viewing angles, the first diffraction pattern exhibiting a reference point or reference line relative to which other features of the first diffraction pattern appear to move when the viewing angle is changed.

A diffractive security device is disclosed including at least a first diffractive structure defined in a carrier layer. The first diffractive structure is an on-axis diffractive zone plate structure of a continuously curved surface configured such that when the device is illuminated by on-axis light a first diffraction pattern generated by the first diffractive structure can be viewed from at least a first side of the device at substantially all viewing angles, the first diffraction pattern exhibiting a reference point or reference line relative to which other features of the first diffraction pattern appear to move when the viewing angle is changed.

A multilayer optical film includes alternating layers of first and second optical layers; the first optical layer comprising a first polyester, wherein the first polyester comprises first dicarboxylate monomers and first diol monomers, and from about 0.25 to less than 10 mol % of the first dicarboxylate monomers have pendant ionic groups; the second optical layer comprising a second polyester; and wherein the first and second optical layers have refractive indices along at least one axis that differ by at least 0.04. The multilayer optical film may be a polarizer film, a reflective polarizer film, a diffuse blend reflective polarizer film, a diffuser film, a brightness enhancing film, a turning film, a mirror film, or a combination thereof. The multilayer optical film may also be a transaction card such as a financial transaction card, an identification card, a key card, or a ticket card. A method of making the multilayer film is also disclosed.

A multilayer optical film includes alternating layers of first and second optical layers; the first optical layer comprising a first polyester, wherein the first polyester comprises first dicarboxylate monomers and first diol monomers, and from about 0.25 to less than 10 mol % of the first dicarboxylate monomers have pendant ionic groups; the second optical layer comprising a second polyester; and wherein the first and second optical layers have refractive indices along at least one axis that differ by at least 0.04. The multilayer optical film may be a polarizer film, a reflective polarizer film, a diffuse blend reflective polarizer film, a diffuser film, a brightness enhancing film, a turning film, a mirror film, or a combination thereof. The multilayer optical film may also be a transaction card such as a financial transaction card, an identification card, a key card, or a ticket card. A method of making the multilayer film is also disclosed.

A method for creating an identification document that includes: defining a debossed region on a surface of a card blank, the debossed region having a pre-determined pattern being indented into the card blank; and applying, as part of a lamination process, an overlay on the surface of the card blank to cover the defined debossed region such that an air gap is formed on the card blank's surface during the lamination process and is sealed and removed after the lamination process, and that a tactile pattern thus created on the surface of the overlay substantially duplicates the pre-determined pattern of the defined debossed region.

A method for creating an identification document that includes: defining a debossed region on a surface of a card blank, the debossed region having a pre-determined pattern being indented into the card blank; and applying, as part of a lamination process, an overlay on the surface of the card blank to cover the defined debossed region such that an air gap is formed on the card blank's surface during the lamination process and is sealed and removed after the lamination process, and that a tactile pattern thus created on the surface of the overlay substantially duplicates the pre-determined pattern of the defined debossed region.

The present disclosure relates to a security structure including a non-opaque, preferably transparent, substrate. The substrate supports metal elements forming a revealing pattern. The metal is thin enough for the metal to be non-opaque. A lacquer is placed at least partially, preferably exactly, on top of the metal elements. The lacquer may be in contact with the metal elements.