Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
CA 02927043 2016-03-09
Attorney Docket No 33449-445650
SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR FABRICATING VARIABLE DIGITAL
OPTICAL IMAGES USING GENERIC OPTICAL MATRICES
FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE
(01) This disclosure relates to generic optical matrices having pixels
corresponding
to color and sub-pixels corresponding to non-color effects, and associated
methods;
generating negatives of variable digital optical images based on desired
images and
generic optical matrices; and fabricating variable digital optical images
using generic
optical matrices.
BACKGROUND
(02) Optical images that create two-dimensional and/or three-dimensional
effects
may typically be printed using lenticular lens techniques, holographic
techniques,
and/or stereographic techniques. As these different techniques have come to be
used more and more, a need has arisen in the printing industry for the
capability of
generating such images quickly and at low cost and of integrating them into
ink
printing machinery so that they can easily be incorporated in printed
materials such
as labels, packaging, security printouts, and/or other printed materials. As
it
presently stands, these techniques generally involve long production waiting
times
and limited to specialized companies such as holographic companies.
(03) Indeed, to date, the implementation of optical images that create two-
dimensional and/or three-dimensional effects within printing applications has
generally been costly and time-consuming. In the case of holograms, these may
be
produced by holographic companies that have very expensive equipment. The
process may be slow and costly. Contemporary hologram technology may require
1
CA 02927043 2016-03-09
Attorney Docket No. 33449-445650
companies that have an optical laboratory in which the hologram is made on a
photoresist plate. The optical laboratory may include laser equipment, anti-
vibration
tables, other specialized equipment, and trained personnel. Once a hologram is
initially made, it may be called a master, but it may not be used for large-
scale
production. As such, the company may also need an electroforming laboratory,
where the photoresist master is introduced into a bath of nickel sulfamate for
the
purpose of cultivating a nickel copy on the surface of the photoresist. Once
the
nickel is of sufficient thickness, it may be separated from the photoresist
copy in
order to create a negative copy of the original image. It is from this nickel
that the
laboratory may cultivate a series of copies that may later be called nickel
shims and
may be used to engrave the image on a variety of supporting materials.
(04) Next, in order to engrave the image, it may be necessary to have special
equipment. Depending on the final product, there may be additional equipment
for
different applications. These processes often take several days and are
processes
that are completely distinct from ink printing. For the purpose of using these
optical
structures, the printers customarily rely on specialized companies (e.g.,
holographic
companies) that generate the required images according to their needs. In
addition
to the investment of additional time needed to interface with those
specialized
companies, printers may be required to invest in equipment that enables the
printer
to transfer the optical structures onto their printed products.
SUMMARY
(05) One aspect of the disclosure relates to a generic optical matrix having
pixels
corresponding to color and sub-pixels corresponding to non-color effects.
Exemplary
implementations may enable printers throughout the world to have the
capability to
generate optical structures as if they were an additional "ink" at an
additional "ink"
2
CA 02927043 2016-03-09
Attorney Docket No. 33449-445650
station in their printing equipment. Some implementations may enable printers
to
vary the optical image that is being printed. The generic optical matrix may
be used
in conjunction with a negative and a UV lacquer (or other approach) to
selectively
obliterate certain pixels and/or sub-pixels to instantly create an optical
image that
may be used to print optical images in printing equipment.
(06) Exemplary implementations may provide to printers an ability to control
all
aspects of their production, including the generation of complex optical
images (e.g.,
holograms) without having to invest in expensive and complex optics and
equipment
for the application thereof. In other words, exemplary implementations may
facilitate
continuous systems that are easily and inexpensively integrated into printers'
prepress and production departments. As a result, printers may be able to
supply
their clients quickly with a combination of prints and complex optical images
at
reasonable cost during prepress and production.
(07) Some implementations may facilitate instantly or rapidly creating optical
structures on a large-scale to create many types of images without the use of
laser,
electroforming, expensive molds, and/or embossing equipment. Applications of
these optical structures may include emphasizing the aesthetic effect of a
label;
providing 3D prints for augmented reality and/or virtual reality systems
(e.g.,
Microsoft HoloLensTm); making packaging more attractive to the consumer;
adding
security to government documents, paper currency, credit cards, passports,
labels,
packaging, and/or other security applications; and/or other applications.
(08) According to some implementations, they may facilitate recording,
molding,
and/or printing optical structures in such a manner that they turn out to be
variable,
meaning that after individual printing cycles a new and different optical
image can be
instantly produced. For example, an optical image may change from label to
label
3
CA 02927043 2016-03-09
=
Attorney Docket No. 33449-445650
with a purpose of increasing security of the product on which the label has
been
adhered, and/or with a purpose of personalizing packaging with a unique
optical
characteristic for individual packages. This is digital printing of optical
structures.
(09) Some implementations may be used with traditional printing equipment,
digital
equipment, desktop printers, and/or other equipment setups with the purpose of
producing optical structures continuously or on demand with the ink printing
of these
machines. As such, the cost of generating these optical images may be
dramatically
reduced and may approach costs that are more similar to those of pre-printing
in the
printing industry.
(10) In contrast to contemporary technologies for generating optical images,
exemplary implementations may not require creating a new image from the ground
up every time a new or altered image is desired. According to some
implementations, the generic optical matrix may be used to instantly generate
some
type of image which can later be engraved, molded, displayed on 3D monitors or
other displays, and/or be combined with prints from other printing techniques
involving conventional printing equipment, rotogravure, inkjet printing,
digital printing,
offset printing, laser printing, desktop printers, laser coders, inkjet
encoding
equipment, and/or other printing techniques.
(11) In accordance with some implementations, the generic optical matrix may
have pixels corresponding to color and sub-pixels corresponding to non-color
effects.
The generic optical matrix may include a substrate and an array of pixels
disposed
on the substrate. The array may include first pixels corresponding to a first
color and
second pixels corresponding to a second color. The first color may be
different from
the second color. The first pixels and second pixels may be arranged in a
motif such
that individual ones of the first pixels are positioned adjacent to individual
ones of the
4
CA 02927043 2016-03-09
Attorney Docket No. 33449-445650
second pixels. Individual ones of the pixels may include sub-pixels. A given
pixel
may include a first sub-pixel and a second sub-pixel. The first sub-pixel may
include
an optical structure configured to reflect or transmit light meeting a first
condition.
The second sub-pixel may include an optical structure configured to reflect or
transmit light meeting a second condition. The first condition may be
different from
the second condition. The light reflected or transmitted by the first sub-
pixel and the
second sub-pixel may be the corresponding color of the given pixel.
(12) One aspect of the disclosure relates to a system configured for
generating
negatives of variable digital holographic images based on desired images and
generic optical matrices. In accordance with some implementations, the system
may
comprise one or more physical processors configured by machine-readable
instructions to obtain an original image. The one or more physical processor
may be
configured by machine-readable instruction to obtain a geometry associated
with a
generic optical matrix. The generic optical matrix may have 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. The
geometry may indicate locations and colors of pixels in the generic optical
matrix.
The geometry may indicate locations and non-color effects of sub-pixels within
the
pixels. The one or more physical processor may be configured by machine-
readable
instruction to perform color separation on the original image to provide two
or more
separations including a first separation and a second separation. The first
separation may correspond to the first color. The second separation may
correspond to the second color. The one or more physical processor may be
CA 02927043 2016-03-09
Attorney Docket No 33449-445650
configured by machine-readable instruction to index the separations to the
geometry
associated with the generic optical matrix to provide indexed separations. The
first
separation may be indexed to the geometry with respect to the first color and
the first
non-color effect to provide an indexed first separation associated with the
first non-
color effect. The first separation may be indexed to the geometry with respect
to the
first color and the second non-color effect to provide an indexed first
separation
associated with the second non-color effect. The second separation may be
indexed
to the geometry with respect to the second color and the first non-color
effect to
provide an indexed second separation associated with the first non-color
effect. The
second separation may be indexed to the geometry with respect to the second
color
and the second non-color effect to provide an indexed second separation
associated
with the second non-color effect. The one or more physical processor may be
configured by machine-readable instruction to merge the indexed separations to
provide a negative of the original image.
(13) One aspect of the disclosure relates to a system configured for
fabricating
variable digital optical images using generic optical matrices. In accordance
with
some implementations, the system may comprise an image negative component and
an image generation component. The image negative component may be
configured to retain a negative corresponding to a base image. The negative
may
be based on the base image and a geometry associated with a generic optical
matrix. The generic optical matrix may have 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. The geometry
6
CA 02927043 2016-03-09
74970-125
rh,.) indicate locations and colors of pixels in the generic optical matrix.
The geometry
may indicate locations and non-color effects of sub-pixels within the
pixels.The image
generation component may be configured to obliterate individual ones of the
pixels
and/or sub-pixels of the generic optical matrix according to the negative
while
preserving remaining pixels and/or sub-pixels. The remaining pixels and/or sub-
pixels
may form an optical image corresponding to the 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.
(14) According to exemplary implementations, the sub-pixels may
comprise
gratings (or other optical structures) in a transparent material. Individual
ones of the
sub-pixels may be obliterated making them transparent in order to make an
underlying substrate visible through the obliterated gratings (or other
optical
structures). Thus, if the substrate is colored at a position that coincides
with an
obliterated sub-pixel, that color may be visible through the transparent
material of the
corresponding sub-pixel. In some implementations, individual sub-pixels may
include
a translucent or transparent color. Additionally, individual sub-pixels may be
overprinted with transparent inks and/or translucent inks with various
densities of
black or other colors.
(14a) According to one aspect of the present invention, there is
provided a
generic optical matrix having pixels corresponding to color and sub-pixels
corresponding to non-color effects, the generic optical matrix comprising: a
substrate;
and an array of pixels disposed on the substrate, the array comprising first
pixels
corresponding to a first color and second pixels corresponding to a second
color, the
first color being different from the second color, the first pixels and second
pixels
being arranged in a motif such that individual ones of the first pixels are
positioned
adjacent to individual ones of the second pixels; wherein individual ones of
the pixels
comprise sub-pixels, a given pixel comprising a first sub-pixel and a second
sub-
pixel, the first sub-pixel comprising a first optical structure configured
such that light
reflected or transmitted by the first optical structure of the first sub-pixel
is directed
7
CA 02927043 2016-03-09
74970-125
toward a left eye of a person observing the generic optical matrix from a
first viewing
angle, the second sub-pixel comprising a second optical structure configured
such
that light reflected or transmitted by the second optical structure of the
second sub-
pixel is directed toward a right eye of the person observing the generic
optical matrix
from the first viewing angle, the light reflected or transmitted by the first
sub-pixel and
the second sub-pixel being the corresponding color of the given pixel.
(14b) According to another aspect of the present invention, there is
provided
a method for fabricating a generic optical matrix having pixels corresponding
to color
and sub-pixels corresponding to non-color effects, the method comprising:
obtaining
a substrate; defining an array of pixels disposed on the substrate, the array
comprising first pixels corresponding to a first color and second pixels
corresponding
to a second color, the first color being different from the second color, the
first pixels
and second pixels being arranged in a motif such that individual ones of the
first
pixels are positioned adjacent to individual ones of the second pixels; and
forming
sub-pixels within individual ones of the pixels, a given pixel comprising a
first sub-
pixel and a second sub-pixel, the first sub-pixel comprising a first optical
structure
configured such that light reflected or transmitted by the first optical
structure of the
first sub-pixel is directed toward a left eye of a person observing the
generic optical
matrix from the first viewing angle, the second sub-pixel comprising a second
optical
structure configured such that light reflected or transmitted by the second
optical
structure of the second sub-pixel is directed toward a right eye of the person
observing the generic optical matrix from the first viewing angle, the light
reflected or
transmitted by the first sub-pixel and the second sub-pixel being the
corresponding
color of the given pixel.
(14c) According to still another aspect of the present invention, there is
provided a system configured for generating negatives of variable digital
holographic
images based on desired images and generic optical matrices, the system
comprising: one or more physical processors configured by machine-readable
instructions to: obtain an original image; obtain a geometry associated with a
generic
7a
CA 02927043 2016-03-09
74970-125
optical matrix, the generic optical matrix having pixels corresponding to
color and
sub-pixels corresponding to non-color effects, the pixels including first
pixels
corresponding to a first color and second pixels corresponding to a second
color, the
sub-pixels including first sub-pixels corresponding to a first non-color
effect and
second sub-pixels corresponding to a second non-color effect, the geometry
indicating locations and colors of pixels in the generic optical matrix, the
geometry
further indicating locations and non-color effects of sub-pixels within the
pixels;
perform color separation on the original image to provide two or more
separations
including a first separation and a second separation, the first separation
corresponding to the first color and the second separation corresponding to
the
second color; index the separations to the geometry associated with the
generic
optical matrix to provide indexed separations, the first separation being
indexed to the
geometry with respect to the first color and the first non-color effect to
provide an
indexed first separation associated with the first non-color effect, the first
separation
being indexed to the geometry with respect to the first color and the second
non-color
effect to provide an indexed first separation associated with the second non-
color
effect, the second separation being indexed to the geometry with respect to
the
second color and the first non-color effect to provide an indexed second
separation
associated with the first non-color effect, the second separation being
indexed to the
geometry with respect to the second color and the second non-color effect to
provide
an indexed second separation associated with the second non-color effect; and
merge the indexed separations to provide a negative of the original image.
(14d) According to yet another aspect of the present invention,
there is
provided a method for generating negatives of variable digital holographic
images
based on desired images and generic optical matrices, the method being
performed
by one or more physical processors configured by machine-readable instruction,
the
method comprising: obtaining an original image; obtaining a geometry
associated
with a generic optical matrix, the generic optical matrix having pixels
corresponding to
color and sub-pixels corresponding to non-color effects, the pixels including
first
pixels corresponding to a first color and second pixels corresponding to a
second
7b
CA 02927043 2016-03-09
74970-125
,
color, the sub-pixels including first sub-pixels corresponding to a first non-
color effect
and second sub-pixels corresponding to a second non-color effect, the geometry
indicating locations and colors of pixels in the generic optical matrix, the
geometry
further indicating locations and non-color effects of sub-pixels within the
pixels;
performing color separation on the original image to provide two or more
separations
including a first separation and a second separation, the first separation
corresponding to the first color and the second separation corresponding to
the
second color; indexing the separations to the geometry associated with the
generic
optical matrix to provide indexed separations, the first separation being
indexed to the
geometry with respect to the first color and the first non-color effect to
provide an
indexed first separation associated with the first non-color effect, the first
separation
being indexed to the geometry with respect to the first color and the second
non-color
effect to provide an indexed first separation associated with the second non-
color
effect, the second separation being indexed to the geometry with respect to
the
second color and the first non-color effect to provide an indexed second
separation
associated with the first non-color effect, the second separation being
indexed to the
geometry with respect to the second color and the second non-color effect to
provide
an indexed second separation associated with the second non-color effect; and
merging the indexed separations to provide a negative of the original image
(14e) According to a further aspect of the present invention, there is
provided
a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium having instructions embodied
thereon, the instructions being executable by one or more physical processors
to
perform a method for generating negatives of variable digital holographic
images
based on desired images and generic optical matrices, the method comprising:
obtaining an original image; obtaining a geometry associated with a generic
optical
matrix, the generic optical matrix having pixels corresponding to color and
sub-pixels
corresponding to non-color effects, the pixels including first pixels
corresponding to a
first color and second pixels corresponding to a second color, the sub-pixels
including
first sub-pixels corresponding to a first non-color effect and second sub-
pixels
corresponding to a second non-color effect, the geometry indicating locations
and
7c
CA 02927043 2016-03-09
74970-125
colors of pixels in the generic optical matrix, the geometry further
indicating locations
and non-color effects of sub-pixels within the pixels; performing color
separation on
the original image to provide two or more separations including a first
separation and
a second separation, the first separation corresponding to the first color and
the
second separation corresponding to the second color; indexing the separations
to the
geometry associated with the generic optical matrix to provide indexed
separations,
the first separation being indexed to the geometry with respect to the first
color and
the first non-color effect to provide an indexed first separation associated
with the first
non-color effect, the first separation being indexed to the geometry with
respect to the
first color and the second non-color effect to provide an indexed first
separation
associated with the second non-color effect, the second separation being
indexed to
the geometry with respect to the second color and the first non-color effect
to provide
an indexed second separation associated with the first non-color effect, the
second
separation being indexed to the geometry with respect to the second color and
the
second non-color effect to provide an indexed second separation associated
with the
second non-color effect; and merging the indexed separations to provide a
negative
of the original image.
(14f) According to yet a further aspect of the present invention,
there is
provided a system configured for fabricating variable digital optical images
using
generic optical matrices, the variable digital optical images including
different printed
optical images instantly produced on the same image area in a single printing
cycle,
the system comprising: an image negative component configured to retain a
negative
corresponding to a base image, the negative being based on the base image and
a
geometry associated with a pre-prepared physical generic optical matrix, the
generic
optical matrix having an arrayed motif of static physical pixels corresponding
to color
and sub-pixels corresponding to non-color effects, the pixels including first
pixels
corresponding to a first color and second pixels corresponding to a second
color, the
sub-pixels including first sub-pixels corresponding to a first non-color
effect and
second sub-pixels corresponding to a second non-color effect, the geometry
indicating locations and colors of pixels in the generic optical matrix, the
geometry
7d
CA 02927043 2016-03-09
74970-125
,
further indicating locations and non-color effects of sub-pixels within the
pixels,
wherein a given non-color effect corresponds to one or more of viewing angle,
viewing distance, polarization, intensity, scattering, refractive index, or
birefringence;
and an image generation component configured to obliterate during a single
printing
cycle individual ones of the pixels and/or sub-pixels of the generic optical
matrix
according to the negative while preserving remaining pixels and/or sub-pixels,
the
remaining pixels and/or sub-pixels forming an optical image corresponding to
the
base image, the optical image being colored based on the remaining pixels, the
optical image exhibiting non-color effects corresponding to the remaining sub-
pixels,
wherein the image generation component is configured to selectively obliterate
a
given pixel and/or sub-pixel by one or more of printing a pigment over the
given pixel
and/or sub-pixel, curing a radiation-curable material over the given pixel
and/or sub-
pixel, chemical etching away the given pixel and/or sub-pixel, or laser
ablating the
given pixel and/or sub-pixel.
(14g) According to still a further aspect of the present invention, there
is
provided a method for fabricating variable digital optical images using
generic optical
matrices, the variable digital optical images including different printed
optical images
instantly produced on the same image area in a single printing cycle, the
method
comprising: retaining a negative corresponding to a base image, the negative
being
based on the base image and a geometry associated with a pre-prepared physical
generic optical matrix, the generic optical matrix having an arrayed motif of
static
physical pixels corresponding to color and sub-pixels corresponding to non-
color
effects, the pixels including first pixels corresponding to a first color and
second pixels
corresponding to a second color, the sub-pixels including first sub-pixels
corresponding to a first non-color effect and second sub-pixels corresponding
to a
second non-color effect, the geometry indicating locations and colors of
pixels in the
generic optical matrix, the geometry further indicating locations and non-
color effects
of sub-pixels within the pixels, wherein a given non-color effect corresponds
to one or
more of viewing angle, viewing distance, polarization, intensity, scattering,
refractive
index, or birefringence; and obliterating during a single printing cycle
individual ones
7e
CA 02927043 2016-03-09
74970-125
of the pixels and/or sub-pixels of the generic optical matrix according to the
negative
while preserving remaining pixels and/or sub-pixels, the remaining pixels
and/or sub-
pixels forming an optical image corresponding to the base image, the optical
image
being colored based on the remaining pixels, the optical image exhibiting non-
color
effects corresponding to the remaining sub-pixels, wherein obliterating a
given pixel
and/or sub-pixel includes one or more of printing a pigment over the given
pixel
and/or sub-pixel, curing a radiation-curable material over the given pixel
and/or sub-
pixel, chemical etching away the given pixel and/or sub-pixel, or laser
ablating the
given pixel and/or sub-pixel.
(14h) According to another aspect of the present invention, there is
provided
an optical image that is instantly produced and different from other printed
optical
images produced in the same printing cycle, the optical image being prepared
by a
process comprising the steps of: obtaining a pre-prepared physical generic
optical
matrix having an arrayed motif of static physical pixels corresponding to
color and
sub-pixels corresponding to non-color effects, the pixels including first
pixels
corresponding to a first color and second pixels corresponding to a second
color, the
sub-pixels including first sub-pixels corresponding to a first non-color
effect and
second sub-pixels corresponding to a second non-color effect, wherein a given
non-
color effect corresponds to one or more of viewing angle, viewing distance,
polarization, intensity, scattering, refractive index, or birefringence; and
obliterating
during a single printing cycle individual ones of the pixels and/or sub-pixels
of the
generic optical matrix according to a negative while preserving remaining
pixels
and/or sub-pixels, the remaining pixels and/or sub-pixels forming the optical
image
corresponding to a base image, the optical image being colored based on the
remaining pixels, the optical image exhibiting non-color effects corresponding
to the
remaining sub-pixels, wherein obliterating a given pixel and/or sub-pixel
includes one
or more of printing a pigment over the given pixel and/or sub-pixel, curing a
radiation-
curable material over the given pixel and/or sub-pixel, chemical etching away
the
given pixel and/or sub-pixel, or laser ablating the given pixel and/or sub-
pixel.
7f
CA 02927043 2016-03-09
74970-125
(15) These and other features, and characteristics of the present
technology,
as well as the methods of operation and functions of the related elements of
structure
and the combination of parts and economies of manufacture, will become more
apparent upon consideration of the following description and the appended
claims
with reference to the accompanying drawings, all of which form a part of this
specification, wherein like reference numerals designate corresponding parts
in the
various figures. It is to be expressly understood, however, that the drawings
are for
7g
CA 02927043 2016-03-09
Attorney Docket No 33449-445650
the purpose of illustration and description only and are not intended as a
definition of
the limits of the invention. As used in the specification and in the claims,
the singular
form of "a", "an", and "the" include plural referents unless the context
clearly dictates
otherwise.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
(16) FIG. 1 illustrates a generic optical matrix having pixels corresponding
to color
and sub-pixels corresponding to non-color effects, in accordance with one or
more
implementations.
(17) FIG. 2 illustrates an exemplary array of pixels, in accordance with one
or more
implementations.
(18) FIG. 3 illustrates an exemplary array of pixels with sub-pixels, in
accordance
with one or more implementations.
(19) FIG. 4 illustrates a method for fabricating a generic optical matrix
having
pixels corresponding to color and sub-pixels corresponding to non-color
effects, in
accordance with one or more implementations.
(20) FIG. 5 illustrates a system configured for generating negatives of
variable
digital holographic images based on desired images and generic optical
matrices, in
accordance with one or more implementations.
(21) FIG. 6 illustrates an exemplary original image used for explanatory
purposes
throughout the present application.
(22) FIGS. 7A, 7B, and 70 illustrate exemplary separations corresponding to
the
exemplary original image of FIG. 6.
8
CA 02927043 2016-03-09
Attorney Docket No. 33449-445650
(23) FIG. 8 illustrates an exemplary indexed separation corresponding to the
exemplary original image of FIG. 6.
(24) FIG. 9 illustrates an exemplary negative corresponding to the exemplary
original image of FIG. 6.
(25) FIG. 10 illustrates a method for generating negatives of variable digital
holographic images based on desired images and generic optical matrices, in
accordance with one or more implementations.
(26) FIG. 11 illustrates a system configured for fabricating variable digital
optical
images using generic optical matrices, in accordance with one or more
implementations.
(27) FIG. 12 illustrates a generic optical matrix having pixels corresponding
to
color and sub-pixels corresponding to non-color effects, in accordance with
one or
more implementations.
es (28) FIG. 13 illustrates exemplary registration marks of a negative and
a generic
optical matrix, in accordance with one or more implementations.
(29) FIG. 14 illustrates an exemplary roll-to-roll printing configuration,
in
accordance with one or more implementation.
(30) FIG. 15 illustrates an exemplary cylinder with internal lighting, which
may be
used in a roll-to-roll printing apparatus, in accordance with one or more
implementations.
(31) FIG. 16 illustrates an exemplary cylinder with internal cavities to
facilitate
water cooling of the cylinder, which may be used in a roll-to-roll printing
apparatus, in
accordance with one or more implementations.
9
CA 02927043 2016-03-09
Attorney Docket No. 33449-445650
(32) FIG. 16A illustrates an exemplary transparent cylinder that acts as a
lens
when illuminated in order to project a thin narrow high intensity strip of
light on an
opposing side of the cylinder, such as for curing purposes, in accordance with
one or
more implementations.
(33) FIG. 17 illustrates an exemplary roll-to-roll printing configuration,
in
accordance with one or more implementation.
(34) FIG. 18 illustrates an exemplary roll-to-roll printing configuration,
in
accordance with one or more implementation.
(35) FIG. 19 illustrates an exemplary roll-to-roll printing configuration,
in
accordance with one or more implementation.
(36) FIG. 20 illustrates an exemplary digital printing configuration, in
accordance
with one or more implementation.
(37) FIG. 21 illustrates a print job of many labels in which an optical image
is
different on different individual labels, in accordance with one or more
implementations.
(38) FIG. 22 illustrates a method for fabricating variable digital optical
images
using generic optical matrices, in accordance with one or more
implementations.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
(39) FIG. 1 illustrates a generic optical matrix 100, in accordance with one
or more
implementations. As depicted, the generic optical matrix 100 may include a
substrate 102 with pixels 104 corresponding to color and sub-pixels 106
corresponding to non-color effects.
CA 02927043 2016-03-09
Attorney Docket No. 33449-445650
(40) The substrate 102, depending on the specific implementation, may include
a
variety materials and/or form factors. According to various implementations,
generic
optical matrix 100 may be configured to reflect light (e.g., in printing
applications)
and/or to transmit light (e.g., in display applications). As such, substrate
102 may be
transparent, translucent, and/or opaque. The substrate 102 may be flat and/or
curved. The substrate 102 may be rigid, semi-rigid, and/or flexible. In some
implementations, substrate 102 may include one or more of photoresist, nickel
plate,
polyester film, silicon, polycarbonate film, ultraviolet cured material,
and/or other
materials. The substrate 102 may be sized according to specific
implementation.
According to various implementations, substrate 102 may cover an area with one
linear dimension being as small as 0.01 microns (or smaller) and/or with one
linear
dimension being as large as 90 inches (or larger).
(41) The pixels 104 may be disposed on substrate 102 as an array. The total
number of pixels 104 in the array may depend on the size of substrate 102
and/or
the spatial resolution of the generic optical matrix 100. For example, low
resolution
may be used for printing three-dimensional posters that can be seen at a given
distance (e.g., one meter, two meters, ten meters, fifty meters, and/or other
distances). High resolution may be used for labels with micro- or nano-texts,
hidden
images, and/or other security features. According to various implementations,
the
number of pixels 104 in the array may be hundreds, thousands, millions,
billions, or
other quantities. The array of pixels 104 may have a resolution in the range
of one
(or less) pixel per inch to 500,000 (or more) pixels per inch. The array of
pixels 104
may be arranged as one or more of a square lattice, a hexagonal lattice,
triangular
lattice, rectangular lattice, a random or pseudorandom arrangement, and/or
other
11
CA 02927043 2016-03-09
Attorney Docket No. 33449-445650
arrangements. Individual ones of pixels 104 may be shaped as a circle, a
square, a
rectangle, a line, an oval, a rounded square, dots, and/or other shapes.
(42) Different pixels 104 may correspond to different colors. That is, some of
pixels 104 may reflect and/or transmit one color of light while other pixels
104 may
reflect and/or transmit another color of light. The color of a given pixel may
depend
on an angle at which the given pixel is viewed. For example, as a viewing
angle
changes, a color of light reflected or transmitted by the given pixel may
change (e.g.,
by sweeping through the range of visible colors). In some implementations, the
array may include first pixels 104 corresponding to a first color and second
pixels
104 corresponding to a second color. The first color may be different from the
second color. The array may further include third pixels 104 corresponding to
a third
color. The third color may be different from the first color and the second
color. In
some implementations, the array may further include fourth pixels 104
corresponding
to a fourth color. The fourth color may be different from the first color, the
second
color, and the third color. In sum, the array may include pixels corresponding
to any
number of different colors. According to some implementations in which the
color
scheme is binary, the first and second pixels 104 may respectively correspond
to
blue and red (or other colors). In some implementations in which the color
scheme
is ternary (e.g., RGB), the first, second, and third pixels 104 may
respectively
correspond to red, green, and blue (or other colors). In some implementations
in
which the color scheme is quaternion (e.g., CMYK), the first, second, third,
and
fourth pixels 104 may respectively correspond to cyan, magenta, yellow, and
black
(or other colors). Although certain color schemes are described above, it will
be
appreciated that other color schemes are contemplated and are within the scope
of
the disclosure.
12
CA 02927043 2016-03-09
Attorney Docket No. 33449-445650
(43) In the array, pixels 104 may be arranged in a motif. Generally speaking,
a
motif may describe a distinctive and recurring pattern. According to some
implementations, first pixels 104 and second pixels 104 may be arranged in a
motif
such that individual ones of first pixels 104 are positioned adjacent to
individual ones
of second pixels 104. In implementations having third pixels 104, they may be
arranged in the motif such that individual ones of third pixels 104 are
positioned
adjacent to individual ones of first pixels 104 and individual ones of second
pixels
104. In implementations having fourth pixels 104, they may be arranged in the
motif
such that individual ones of fourth pixels 104 are positioned adjacent to
individual
ones of first pixels 104, individual ones of second pixels 104, and individual
ones of
third pixels 104. In some implementations, similar pixels may not be
positioned
adjacent to each other (e.g., no two first pixels positioned adjacent to each
other).
Although pixels 104 may be arranged in a motif, as discussed above, this
should not
be viewed as limiting as other arrangements are contemplated and are within
the
scope of the disclosure. For example, pixels 104 may be arranged randomly in
the
array. As another example, multiple different motifs may be used such that
pixels
104 in some areas of the array are arranged in a first motif and pixels 104 in
other
areas of the array are arranged in a second motif.
(44) FIG. 2 illustrates an exemplary array 200 of pixels, in accordance with
one or
more implementations. As depicted in FIG. 2, array 200 may include pixels
corresponding to three different colors. Pixels similar to pixel 202 may
correspond to
a first color, pixels similar to pixel 204 may correspond to a second color,
and pixels
similar to pixel 206 may correspond to a third color. Pixels similar to pixel
202, pixels
similar to pixel 204, and pixels similar to pixel 206 may be respectively
arranged in
superimposed hexagonal lattices such that a given pixel is adjacent to pixels
of
13
CA 02927043 2016-03-09
Attorney Docket No. 33449-445650
different colors and pixels of a common color are evenly distributed across
array
200.
(45) Referring again to FIG. 1, a given pixel 104 may include two or more sub-
pixels 106. The sub-pixels 106 may be arranged within a given pixel 104 as one
or
more of a square lattice, a hexagonal lattice, triangular lattice, rectangular
lattice,
random or pseudorandom arrangement, and/or other arrangements. Individual ones
of sub-pixels 106 may be shaped as a circle, a square, a rectangle, a line, an
oval, a
rounded square, dots, spirals, patterns, and/or other shapes.
(46) FIG. 3 illustrates an exemplary array 300 of pixels with sub-pixels, in
accordance with one or more implementations. As depicted in FIG. 3, a given
pixel
may include one or more of sub-pixel 302, sub-pixel 304, sub-pixel 306, and/or
other
sub-pixels. The sub-pixel 302, sub-pixel 304, and/or sub-pixel 306 may be
similar or
different with respect to optical characteristics and/or physical
characteristics.
Examples of optical characteristics may include one or more of reflectivity,
transmissivity, absorptivity, and/or other optical characteristics. Examples
of
physical characteristics may include size, shape, and/or other physical
characteristics.
(47) Turning again to FIG. 1, individual ones of sub-pixels 106 may correspond
to
non-color effects. The non-color effects may result from optical
characteristics
and/or physical characteristics of individual ones of sub-pixels 106. Such non-
color
effects may be achieved by optical structures included in sub-pixels 106. An
optical
structure of a given sub-pixel 106 may include one or more of a ruled grating,
a laser
grating, a photonic grating, an e-beam grating, an ion beam grating, gratings
created
by nanoholes, a hologram, a three-dimensional nano-structure, a kinegram, a
photonic structure, a Fresnel lens, an electron-beam grid, an exelgram, an
optical
14
CA 02927043 2016-03-09
Attorney Docket No. 33449-445650
variable device (OVD), a diffractive optically variable image device (DOVID),
a zero
order device, a pixelgram (e.g., as provided by CSIRO of Australia), a
holographic
stereogram, a diffraction identification device (DID), a dielectric structure,
a volume
hologram, a liquid crystal, an interference security image structure (ISIS), a
computer-generated hologram, an electron-beam grating, and/or other optical
structures. In some implementations, a given optical structure may include a
physical feature having a linear dimension in the range of 0.01 microns to
1000
microns. In some implementations, optical structures of sub-pixels 106 of a
given
pixel 104 may be configured such that some reflections/transmissions go to the
right
eye of a person viewing generic optical matrix 100 and other
reflections/transmissions go to the left eye.
(48) Individual optical structures of sub-pixels 106 may be configured (and/or
physically structured) to reflect and/or transmit light meeting one or more
conditions.
For example, a given pixel 104 may include a first sub-pixel 106 and a second
sub-
pixel 106. The first sub-pixel 106 may include an optical structure configured
to
reflect and/or transmit light meeting a first condition. The second sub-pixel
106 may
include an optical structure configured to reflect and/or transmit light
meeting a
second condition. The first condition may be different from the second
condition.
The light reflected and/or transmitted by the first sub-pixel 106 and the
second sub-
pixel 106 may be the corresponding color of the given pixel 104. The given
pixel 104
may include a third sub-pixel 106 and a fourth sub-pixel 106. The third sub-
pixel 106
may include an optical structure configured to reflect and/or transmit light
meeting a
third condition. The fourth sub-pixel 106 may include an optical structure
configured
to reflect and/or transmit light meeting a fourth condition. The light
reflected and/or
transmitted by the third sub-pixel 106 and the fourth sub-pixel 106 being the
CA 02927043 2016-03-09
=
Attorney Docket No 33449-445650
corresponding color of the given pixel 106. The third condition may be
different from
the first condition, the second condition, and the fourth condition. While
only four
conditions are described here, in some implementations, there may be any
number
of conditions.
(49) The conditions associated with reflection and/or transmission may include
conditions related to one or more of viewing angle, viewing distance,
polarization,
intensity, scattering, refractive index, birefringence, and/or other
conditions.
Continuing the example in the above-paragraph, the first condition and the
second
condition may relate to a first viewing angle. The first condition may be that
the light
reflected or transmitted by the optical structure of the first sub-pixel 106
is directed
toward a left eye of a person observing generic optical matrix 100 from the
first
viewing angle. The second condition may be that the light reflected or
transmitted by
the optical structure of the second sub-pixel 106 is directed toward a right
eye of the
person observing generic optical matrix 100 from the first viewing angle. The
third
condition and the fourth condition may relate to a second viewing angle. The
third
condition may be that the light reflected or transmitted by the optical
structure of the
third sub-pixel 106 is directed toward the left eye of the person observing
generic
optical matrix 100 from the second viewing angle. The fourth condition may be
that
the light reflected or transmitted by the optical structure of the fourth sub-
pixel 106 is
directed toward a right eye of the person observing generic optical matrix 100
from
the second viewing angle. The first viewing angle may be different from the
second
viewing angle.
(50) Continuing the example in the above-paragraph, the first condition and
the
second condition may relate to a first viewing distance. The first condition
may be
that the light reflected or transmitted by the optical structure of the first
sub-pixel 106
16
CA 02927043 2016-03-09
Attorney Docket No. 33449-445650
is directed toward the left eye of the person observing generic optical matrix
100
from the first viewing distance. The second condition may be that the light
reflected
or transmitted by the optical structure of the second sub-pixel 106 is
directed toward
the right eye of the person observing generic optical matrix 106 from the
first viewing
distance. The third condition and the fourth condition may relate to a second
viewing
distance. The third condition may be that the light reflected or transmitted
by the
optical structure of the third sub-pixel 106 is directed toward the left eye
of the
person observing 100 generic optical matrix from the second viewing distance.
The
fourth condition may be that the light reflected or transmitted by the optical
structure
of the fourth sub-pixel 106 is directed toward the right eye of the person
observing
generic optical matrix 100 from the second viewing distance. The first viewing
distance may be different from the second viewing distance. In some
implementations, images may be created from generic optical matrix that are
viewable with only one eye (or view point) such as for dynamic optical
effects.
(51) Still continuing the example in the above-paragraph, the first condition
and the
second condition may relate to polarization. The first condition may be that
the light
reflected or transmitted by the optical structure of the first sub-pixel 106
has a first
polarization. The second condition may be that the light reflected or
transmitted by
the optical structure of the second sub-pixel 106 has a second polarization.
The first
polarization may be different from the second polarization.
(52) FIG. 4 illustrates a method 400 for fabricating a generic optical matrix
having
pixels corresponding to color and sub-pixels corresponding to non-color
effects, in
accordance with one or more implementations. The operations of method 400
presented below are intended to be illustrative. In some embodiments, method
400
may be accomplished with one or more additional operations not described,
and/or
17
CA 02927043 2016-03-09
Attorney Docket No. 33449-445650
without one or more of the operations discussed. Additionally, the order in
which the
operations of method 400 are illustrated in FIG. 4 and described below is not
intended to be limiting.
(53) At a step 402, a substrate may be obtained. In accordance with one or
more
implementations, the substrate may the same as or similar to substrate 102
described in connection with FIG. 1.
(54) At a step 404, an array of pixels disposed on the substrate may be
defined.
The array may include first pixels corresponding to a first color and second
pixels
corresponding to a second color. The first color may be different from the
second
color. The first pixels and second pixels may be arranged in a motif such that
individual ones of the first pixels are positioned adjacent to individual ones
of the
second pixels. In accordance with one or more implementations, the pixels may
be
the same as or similar to pixels 104 described in connection with FIG. 1.
(55) At a step 406, sub-pixels may be formed within individual ones of the
pixels.
A given pixel may comprise a first sub-pixel and a second sub-pixel. The first
sub-
pixel may include an optical structure configured to reflect or transmit light
meeting a
first condition. The second sub-pixel may include an optical structure
configured to
reflect or transmit light meeting a second condition. The first condition may
be
different from the second condition. The light reflected or transmitted by the
first
sub-pixel and the second sub-pixel may be the corresponding color of the given
pixel. In accordance with one or more implementations, the sub-pixels may be
the
same as or similar to sub-pixels 106 described in connection with FIG. 1.
(56) FIG. 5 illustrates a system 500 configured for generating negatives of
variable
digital holographic images based on desired images and generic optical
matrices, in
18
CA 02927043 2016-03-09
Attorney Docket No. 33449-445650
accordance with one or more implementations. In some implementations, system
500 may include a server 502. The server 502 may be configured to communicate
with one or more client computing platforms 504 according to a client/server
architecture. The users may access system 500 via client computing platforms
504.
The server(s) 502 may be configured to execute machine-readable instructions
506.
The machine-readable instructions 506 may include one or more of an image
import
component 508, a generic optical matrix import component 510, a color
separation
component 512, an indexing component 514, a negative component 516, and/or
other components
(57) The image import component 508 may be configured to obtain an original
image. The original image may include a physical likeness or representation of
a
person, animal, or thing that is photographed, painted, and/or otherwise made
visible. The original image may be in an electronic format. Examples of
electronic
formats may include one or more of JPEG, TIFF, GIF, BMP, PNG, DDS, TARGA,
DWG, PRT, CMX, EPS, SVG, STL, ART, Al, PSD, PMD, QXD, DOC, 3DS, BLEND,
DFF, FBX, MA, MAX, SKP, VRML, BAT, JSFL, CLS, JAVA, MPEG, RM, SWF,
PAGES, PCX, PDD, SCT, DXF, DWF, SLDASM, WRL, and/or other electronic
formats. The original image may be obtained from sources within system 500
and/or
external resources 518. FIG. 6 illustrates an exemplary original image 600
used for
explanatory purposes throughout the present application. The exemplary
original
image 600 depicts a figure in the foreground and several shapes in the
foreground
and background, all in various colors and shades. The exemplary original image
600
is in no way limiting as any image may be used as an original image, in
accordance
with one or more implementations.
19
CA 02927043 2016-03-09
Attorney Docket No 33449-445650
(58) Referring again to FIG. 5, generic optical matrix import component 510
may
be configured to obtain a geometry associated with a generic optical matrix.
The
generic optical matrix may have pixels corresponding to color and sub-pixels
corresponding to non-color effects. Exemplary implementations of generic
optical
matrices are described supra. The pixels may include first pixels
corresponding to a
first color and second pixels corresponding to a second color. The pixels may
further
include third pixels corresponding to a third color. The pixels may further
include
fourth pixels corresponding to a fourth color. The first, second, third, and
fourth
colors may all be different from each other. In some implementations, the
pixels may
correspond to red, green, and blue (RGB). In some implementations, the pixels
may
correspond to cyan, magenta, yellow, and black (CMYK). According to various
implementations, the pixels may correspond to any number of colors.
(59) The sub-pixels of the generic optical matrix may include first sub-pixels
corresponding to a first non-color effect and second sub-pixels corresponding
to a
second non-color effect. The sub-pixels may further include third sub-pixels
corresponding to a third non-color effect. The sub-pixels may further include
fourth
sub-pixels corresponding to a fourth non-color effect. According to various
implementations, the sub-pixels may correspond to any number of non-color
effects.
Examples of non-color effects may relate to one or more of viewing angle,
viewing
distance, polarization, intensity, scattering, refractive index,
birefringence, and/or
other non-color effects. In some implementations, the first sub-pixels may
corresponding to the first non-color effect may be configured to cause light
reflected
or transmitted by the first sub-pixels to be directed toward a left eye of a
person
observing the generic optical matrix from a first viewing angle. The second
sub-
pixels corresponding to the second non-color effect may be configured to cause
light
CA 02927043 2016-03-09
Attorney Docket No 33449-445650
reflected or transmitted by the second sub-pixels to be directed toward a
right eye of
the person observing the generic optical matrix from the first viewing angle.
(60) The geometry associated with the generic optical matrix may indicate
locations and colors of pixels in the generic optical matrix. The geometry may
indicate locations and non-color effects of sub-pixels within the pixels. In
some
implementations, the geometry may convey information associates with
individual
pixels and/or sub-pixels. In some implementations, the geometry may convey
information associated with an aggregate of individual pixels and/or sub-
pixels such
as arrangement, spacing, shape, motif, pattern, and/or other information
associated
with an aggregate of individual pixels and/or sub-pixels.
(61) The color separation component 512 may be configured to perform color
separation on the original image to provide two or more separations. Generally
speaking, a separation may represent a single color component of an image. By
way of non-limiting example, the separations may include a first separation
and a
second separation. The first separation may correspond to the first color
corresponding to the first pixels of the generic optical matrix. The second
separation
may correspond to the second color of the second pixels of the generic optical
matrix. In implementations having third pixels corresponding to a third color,
the
separations may include a third separation corresponding to the third color.
In
implementations having fourth pixels corresponding to a fourth color, the
separations
may include a fourth separation corresponding to the fourth color. According
to
various implementations, there may be any number of separations. FIGS. 7A, 7B,
and 70 respectively illustrate exemplary separation 702, separation 704, and
separation 706, which correspond to exemplary original image 600 of FIG. 6.
The
separation 702 corresponds to the red component of exemplary original image
600.
21
CA 02927043 2016-03-09
Attorney Docket No. 33449-445650
The separation 704 corresponds to the green component of exemplary original
image 600. The separation 706 corresponds to the blue component of exemplary
original image 600. In some implementations, individual colors may have one or
more separations based on the different sub-pixels. For example, a full color
RGB
3D image may have two separations per color (e.g., left and right) totaling
six
separations. In some implementations, the number of separations may correspond
to the number of desired viewing angles, viewing distances, viewpoints, and/or
other
viewing information.
(62) Turning again to FIG. 5, indexing component 514 may be configured to
index
the separations to the geometry associated with the generic optical matrix to
provide
indexed separations. Continuing the example from the above-paragraph, the
first
separation may be indexed to the geometry with respect to the first color and
the first
non-color effect to provide an indexed first separation associated with the
first non-
color effect. The first separation may be indexed to the geometry with respect
to the
first color and the second non-color effect to provide an indexed first
separation
associated with the second non-color effect. The second separation may be
indexed
to the geometry with respect to the second color and the first non-color
effect to
provide an indexed second separation associated with the first non-color
effect. The
second separation may be indexed to the geometry with respect to the second
color
and the second non-color effect to provide an indexed second separation
associated
with the second non-color effect.
(63) In some implementations, a given separation corresponding to a given
color
may be indexed to the geometry associated with the generic optical matrix with
respect to a given non-color effect by preserving areas of the given
separation that
spatially correspond to pixels of the generic optical matrix corresponding to
the given
22
CA 02927043 2016-03-09
Attorney Docket No. 33449-445650
color and sub-pixels within the pixels corresponding to the given non-color
effect.
Unpreserved areas of the given separation may be obliterated. In some
implementations, a given separation corresponding to a given color may be
indexed
to the geometry associated with the generic optical matrix with respect to a
given
non-color effect by obliterating areas of the given separation that spatially
correspond to pixels of the generic optical matrix corresponding to the given
color
and sub-pixels within the pixels corresponding to the given non-color effect.
Unobliterated areas of the given separation may be preserved. FIG. 8
illustrates an
exemplary indexed separation 800 corresponding the exemplary original image
600
of FIG. 6. For illustrative purposes, the exemplary indexed separation 800
shows
only the head region of the figure depicted in exemplary original image 600.
In FIG.
8, the left panel shows pixels 802 corresponding to the color red in a generic
optical
matrix. In the right panel of FIG. 8, exemplary indexed separation 800 is
created by
determining which areas of separation 702 (see FIG. 7) spatially correspond to
pixels
of the generic optical matrix show in the left panel of FIG. 8. Where there is
spatial
correspondence, separation 702 is preserved. Where there is no spatial
correspondence, separation 702 is obliterated.
(64) Looking again at FIG. 5, negative component 516 may be configured to
merge the indexed separations to provide a negative of the original image.
Continuing the example made above in connection with indexing component 514,
the indexed first separation associated with the first non-color effect, the
indexed first
separation associated with the second non-color effect, the indexed second
separation associated with the first non-color effect, and the indexed second
separation associated with the second non-color effect may be merged by
combining
the preserved areas while maintaining the spatial position of the preserved
areas. In
23
CA 02927043 2016-03-09
=
Attorney Docket No. 33449-445650
some implementations, the indexed first separation associated with the first
non-
color effect, the indexed first separation associated with the second non-
color effect,
the indexed second separation associated with the first non-color effect, and
the
indexed second separation associated with the second non-color effect may be
merged by combining the obliterated areas while maintaining the spatial
position of
the obliterated areas. FIG. 9 illustrates an exemplary negative 900
corresponding to
the exemplary original image of FIG. 6. For illustrative purposes, the
exemplary
negative 900 shows only the head region of the figure depicted in exemplary
original
image 600. The exemplary negative 900 was created by merging indexed
separation 800 (see FIG. 8) with indexed separations corresponding to other
colors
and/or non-color effects such that the preserved areas were combined while
maintain the relative spatial position of the preserved areas.
(65) Returning to FIG. 5, server(s) 502, client computing platform(s) 504,
and/or
external resources 518 may be operatively linked via one or more electronic
communication links, in some implementations. For example, such electronic
communication links may be established, at least in part, via a network such
as the
Internet and/or other networks. It will be appreciated that this is not
intended to be
limiting, and that the scope of this disclosure includes implementations in
which
server(s) 502, client computing platform(s) 504, and/or external resources 518
may
be operatively linked via some other communication media.
(66) A given client computing platform 504 may include one or more processors
configured to execute machine-readable instructions. The machine-readable
instructions may be configured to enable an expert or user associated with the
given
client computing platform 504 to interface with system 500 and/or external
resources
518, and/or provide other functionality attributed herein to client computing
24
CA 02927043 2016-03-09
,
Attorney Docket No. 33449-445650
platform(s) 504. By way of non-limiting example, the given client computing
platform
504 may include one or more of a desktop computer, a laptop computer, a
handheld
computer, a tablet computing platform, a NetBook, a Smartphone, and/or other
computing platforms.
(67) External resources 518 may include sources of information, hosts and/or
providers of information outside of system 500, external entities
participating with
system 500, and/or other resources. In some implementations, some or all of
the
functionality attributed herein to external resources 518 may be provided by
resources included in system 500.
(68) Server(s) 502 may include electronic storage 520, one or more processors
522, and/or other components. Server(s) 502 may include communication lines,
or
ports to enable the exchange of information with a network and/or other
computing
platforms. Illustration of server(s) 502 in FIG. 5 is not intended to be
limiting.
Server(s) 502 may include a plurality of hardware, software, and/or firmware
components operating together to provide the functionality attributed herein
to
server(s) 502. For example, server(s) 502 may be implemented by a cloud of
computing platforms operating together as server(s) 502.
(69) Electronic storage 520 may comprise non-transitory storage media that
electronically stores information. The electronic storage media of electronic
storage
520 may include one or both of system storage that is provided integrally
(i.e.,
substantially non-removable) with server(s) 502 and/or removable storage that
is
removably connectable to server(s) 502 via, for example, a port (e.g., a USB
port, a
firewire port, etc.) or a drive (e.g., a disk drive, etc.). Electronic storage
520 may
include one or more of optically readable storage media (e.g., optical disks,
etc.),
magnetically readable storage media (e.g., magnetic tape, magnetic hard drive,
CA 02927043 2016-03-09
Attorney Docket No 33449-445650
floppy drive, etc.), electrical charge-based storage media (e.g., EEPROM, RAM,
etc.), solid-state storage media (e.g., flash drive, etc.), and/or other
electronically
readable storage media. Electronic storage 520 may include one or more virtual
storage resources (e.g., cloud storage, a virtual private network, and/or
other virtual
storage resources). Electronic storage 520 may store software algorithms,
information determined by processor(s) 522, information received from
server(s)
502, information received from client computing platform(s) 504, and/or other
information that enables server(s) 502 to function as described herein.
(70) Processor(s) 522 may be configured to provide information processing
capabilities in server(s) 502. As such, processor(s) 522 may include one or
more of
a digital processor, an analog processor, a digital circuit designed to
process
information, an analog circuit designed to process information, a state
machine,
and/or other mechanisms for electronically processing information. Although
processor(s) 522 is shown in FIG. 5 as a single entity, this is for
illustrative purposes
only. In some implementations, processor(s) 522 may include a plurality of
processing units. These processing units may be physically located within the
same
device, or processor(s) 522 may represent processing functionality of a
plurality of
devices operating in coordination. The processor(s) 522 may be configured to
execute machine-readable instruction components 508, 510, 512, 514, 516,
and/or
other components. Processor(s) 522 may be configured to execute machine-
readable instruction components 508, 510, 512, 514, 516, and/or other
components
by software; hardware; firmware; some combination of software, hardware,
and/or
firmware; and/or other mechanisms for configuring processing capabilities on
processor(s) 522. As used herein, the term "machine-readable instruction
component" may refer to any component or set of components that perform the
26
CA 02927043 2016-03-09
,
Attorney Docket No. 33449-445650
functionality attributed to the machine-readable instruction component. This
may
include one or more physical processors during execution of machine-readable
instructions, the machine-readable instructions, circuitry, hardware, storage
media,
and/or any other components.
(71) It should be appreciated that although machine-readable instruction
components 508, 510, 512, 514, and 516 are illustrated in FIG. 5 as being
implemented within a single processing unit, in implementations in which
processor(s) 522 includes multiple processing units, one or more of machine-
readable instruction components 508, 510, 512, 514, and/or 516 may be
implemented remotely from the other machine-readable instruction components.
The description of the functionality provided by the different machine-
readable
instruction components 508, 510, 512, 514, and/or 516 described herein is for
illustrative purposes, and is not intended to be limiting, as any of machine-
readable
instruction components 508, 510, 512, 514, and/or 516 may provide more or less
functionality than is described. For example, one or more of machine-readable
instruction components 508, 510, 512, 514, and/or 516 may be eliminated, and
some
or all of its functionality may be provided by other ones of machine-readable
instruction components 508, 510, 512, 514, and/or 516. As another example,
processor(s) 522 may be configured to execute one or more additional machine-
readable instruction components that may perform some or all of the
functionality
attributed herein to one of machine-readable instruction components 508, 510,
512,
514, and/or 516.
(72) FIG. 10 illustrates a method 1000 for generating negatives of variable
digital
holographic images based on desired images and generic optical matrices, in
accordance with one or more implementations. The operations of method 1000
27
CA 02927043 2016-03-09
Attorney Docket No 33449-445650
presented below are intended to be illustrative. In some implementations,
method
1000 may be accomplished with one or more additional operations not described,
and/or without one or more of the operations discussed. Additionally, the
order in
which the operations of method 1000 are illustrated in FIG. 10 and described
below
is not intended to be limiting.
(73) In some implementations, method 1000 may be implemented in one or more
processing devices (e.g., a digital processor, an analog processor, a digital
circuit
designed to process information, an analog circuit designed to process
information, a
state machine, and/or other mechanisms for electronically processing
information).
The one or more processing devices may include one or more devices executing
some or all of the operations of method 1000 in response to instructions
stored
electronically on an electronic storage medium. The one or more processing
devices
may include one or more devices configured through hardware, firmware, and/or
software to be specifically designed for execution of one or more of the
operations of
method 1000.
(74) At an operation 1002, an original image may be obtained. Operation 1002
may be performed by one or more processors configured to execute an image
import
component that is the same as or similar to image import component 508, in
accordance with one or more implementations.
(75) At an operation 1004, a geometry associated with a generic optical matrix
may be obtained. The generic optical matrix may have 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. The geometry
28
CA 02927043 2016-03-09
Attorney Docket No. 33449-445650
may indicate locations and colors of pixels in the generic optical matrix. The
geometry may indicate locations and non-color effects of sub-pixels within the
pixels.
Operation 1004 may be performed by one or more processors configured to
execute
a generic optical matrix import component that is the same as or similar to
generic
optical matrix import component 510, in accordance with one or more
implementations.
(76) At an operation 1006, color separation may be performed on the original
image to provide two or more separations including a first separation and a
second
separation. The first separation may correspond to the first color and the
second
separation corresponding to the second color. Operation 1006 may be performed
by
one or more processors configured to execute a color separation component that
is
the same as or similar to color separation component 512, in accordance with
one or
more implementations.
(77) At an operation 1008, the separations may be indexed to the geometry
associated with the generic optical matrix to provide indexed separations. The
first
separation may be indexed to the geometry with respect to the first color and
the first
non-color effect to provide an indexed first separation associated with the
first non-
color effect. The first separation may be indexed to the geometry with respect
to the
first color and the second non-color effect to provide an indexed first
separation
associated with the second non-color effect. The second separation may be
indexed
to the geometry with respect to the second color and the first non-color
effect to
provide an indexed second separation associated with the first non-color
effect. The
second separation may be indexed to the geometry with respect to the second
color
and the second non-color effect to provide an indexed second separation
associated
with the second non-color effect. Operation 1008 may be performed by one or
more
29
CA 02927043 2016-03-09
Attorney Docket No. 33449-445650
processors configured to execute an indexing component that is the same as or
similar to indexing component 514, in accordance with one or more
implementations.
(78) At an operation 1010, the indexed separations may be merged to provide a
negative of the original image. Operation 1010 may be performed by one or more
processors configured to execute a negative component that is the same as or
similar to negative component 516, in accordance with one or more
implementations.
(79) FIG. 11 illustrates a system 1100 configured for fabricating variable
digital
optical images using generic optical matrices, in accordance with one or more
implementations. In exemplary implementations, system 1100 may include one or
more of an image negative component 1102, an image generation component 1104,
and/or other components. One or more components of system 1100 may be
included in equipment 1105. Equipment 1105 may include one or more of
traditional
printing equipment, roll-to-roll printing equipment, embossing equipment,
digital
printing equipment, desktop printing equipment, display screens (e.g. 3D
displays),
printing devices, printing accessories, printing supplies, flexographic
equipment,
offset equipment, rotogravure equipment, demetallizing equipment, silkscreen
equipment, ink jet equipment, silver halide photographic equipment, and/or
other
equipment.
(80) The image negative component 1102 may be configured to retain a negative
1106 corresponding to a base image. The base image may include a physical
likeness or representation of a person, animal, and/or thing that is
photographed,
painted, and/or otherwise made visible. According to various implementations,
negative 1106 may be embodied on a physical substrate or negative 1106 may be
in
an electronic format, as discussed further herein. As such, image negative
component 1102 may include a physical apparatus configured to physically
retain a
CA 02927043 2016-03-09
Attorney Docket No. 33449-445650
physical substrate embodying negative 1106. The image negative component 1102
may include electronic storage configured to store negative 1106 in an
electronic
format. The image negative component 1102 may include one or more processors
configured to provide information associated with negative 1106 to one or more
other
components of system 1100.
(81) The negative 1106 may be based on the base image and a geometry
associated with a generic optical matrix. Exemplary implementations for
generating
a negative are described supra. The generic optical matrix may have pixels
corresponding to color and sub-pixels corresponding to non-color effects. For
example, 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. The geometry may indicate locations and colors of
pixels in
the generic optical matrix. The geometry may indicate locations and non-color
effects of sub-pixels within the pixels. FIG. 12 illustrates a generic optical
matrix
1200, in accordance with one or more implementations. As depicted, the generic
optical matrix 1200 may include a substrate 1202 with pixels 1204
corresponding to
color and sub-pixels 1206 corresponding to non-color effects. Exemplary
implementations, generic optical matrices are described supra.
(82) Referring again to FIG. 11, image generation component 1104 may be
configured to obliterate individual ones of the pixels and/or sub-pixels of a
generic
optical matrix 1108 according to negative 1106 while preserving remaining
pixels
and/or sub-pixels. The remaining pixels and/or sub-pixels may form an optical
image
corresponding to the base image. The optical image may be colored based on the
remaining pixels. The optical image may exhibit non-color effects
corresponding to
31
CA 02927043 2016-03-09
Attorney Docket No. 33449-445650
the remaining sub-pixels. The non-color effects of the remaining sub-pixels
may give
rise to one or more optical effects observable when viewing the optical image.
The
one or more optical effects may include one or more of a three-dimensional
optical
effect, a two-dimensional optical effect, a dynamic optical effect, a
scattering effect, a
holographic white effect, a lens effect, a Fresnel lens effect, a brightness
modulation
effect, a lithographic effect, a stereogram effect, a nanotext and/or
microtext effect, a
hidden image effect, a moire effect, a concealed animated pattern effect, a
covert
laser readable (CLR) effect, a multiple background effect, a pearlescent
effect, a true
color image effect, a guilloche effect, an animation effect, an achromatic
Fresnel
effect, a dynamic CLR image, a kinematic images, a full parallax effect, a
scratch
holographic effect, a polarizing effect, a watermark effect, a metallic
effect, a binary
optical structure, a Fresnel prism, and/or other optical effects.
(83) Individual ones of the remaining sub-pixels may reflect light at a
specific
viewing angle with a color corresponding to that of the individual pixels
associated
with the remaining sub-pixels. According to some implementations, the optical
image may comprise one or more of a hologram, a stereo image, an optically
variable device (OVD) based image, a diffractive optically variable image, a
zero
order device (ZOO) based image, a blazed diffraction structure based image, a
first
order device (FOZ) based image, a dot matrix image, a pixelgram image, a
structural
color structure based image, a diffractive identification device (DID) based
image, an
interference security image structure (ISIS) based image, a kinegram image, an
excelgram image, a diffractive optical element based image, a photonic
structure
based image, a nanohole based image, computer generated holograms, electron-
beam generated optical structures, interference patterns, and/or other optical
images.
32
CA 02927043 2016-03-09
Attorney Docket No. 33449-445650
(84) According to some implementations, a person may view the optical image
from a specific viewpoint or viewing window (e.g., a range of viewing angles
and/or
distances). By changing the viewpoint or viewing window (e.g., by moving the
optical image relative to the person's eyes), observed colors of the optical
image
may change due to the reflective properties of the optical structures included
in the
optical image. The viewpoint or viewing window may be limited in
implementations
where only the optical structures provide color in the optical image. In order
to avoid
such a limitation, the optical image may be overprinted with specific colors
at
corresponding pixels and/or sub-pixels. For example, if the optical image
includes
two sub-pixels to be viewed as red¨one for the right eye and one for the left
eye,
the viewpoint or viewing window may be relatively small. However, by
overprinting
those two sub-pixels with a translucent red colored ink, the viewpoint or
viewing
window may increase because this colored ink maintains the red color with no
shift
through the rainbow and optical structures of the two sub-pixels keep
reflecting light
to desired directions. In some implementations, high refractive index lacquers
may
be used for the purpose of being able to overprint on top with translucent
inks and/or
lacquers without obliterating pixels and/or sub-pixels. Thus, some
implementations
may provide optical images having pixels and/or sub-pixels that reflect their
particular color but shift throughout the rainbow at different angles, or have
a colored
filter that helps them extend the viewpoint or viewing window.
(85) In some implementations, translucent or transparent material may be used
to
overprint pixels that are not obliterated. The translucent or transparent
material may
be configured to act as a color filter. The color filter may be configured to
increase
an angle of observation of the optical image. The translucent or transparent
material
may include one or more of a lacquer, a UV ink, and/or other materials. The
33
CA 02927043 2016-03-09
Attorney Docket No. 33449-445650
translucent or transparent material may have a high refractive index. In some
implementations, the high refractive index may be greater than that of a
material
making up the optical structures of sub-pixels of the generic optical matrix.
The
index of refraction of a material making up the optical structures of sub-
pixels of the
generic optical matrix may be between approximately 1.4 and approximately 1.6.
In
some implementations, the high refractive index may be between approximately
1.75
and approximately 2. The high refractive index may be greater than 2. One
reason
for the difference in index of refraction between the generic optical matrix
and the
material used for overprinting is that when optical structures are covered by
a
material with the same index of refraction, the optical structure may become
obliterated. In some implementations, overprinting pixels and/or sub-pixels
may be
performed with RGB or YMCK printing systems using inks in order to generate
full
color images where pixels and/or sub-pixels below the translucent or
transparent
inks continue to provide corresponding non-color effects.
(86) The negative 1106 being embodied on a physical substrate may facilitate a
number of techniques for producing optical images. In some implementations,
the
physical substrate embodying negative 1106 may include a transparent film with
negative 1106 printed thereon, a UV lacquer laminate, a polycarbonate
laminate, an
acrylic laminate, a silicon laminate, a glass laminate, a projection negative,
a
demetallized substrate, a chemical etched substrate, a laser ablated
substrate, an
ion etched substrate, a UV high refractive index substrate, and/or other
substrates.
(87) The system 1100 may include an aligner component 1110 configured to align
one or more registration marks on negative 1106 with one or more corresponding
registration marks on generic optical matrix 1108. FIG. 13 illustrates
exemplary
registration marks of a negative and a generic optical matrix, in accordance
with one
34
CA 02927043 2016-03-09
Attorney Docket No 33449-445650
or more implementations. The aligner component 1110 may be configured to align
registrations marks 1302 of a negative with registration marks 1304 of a
generic
optical matrix. The aligner component 1110 may be configured to align
registrations
marks 1306 of a negative with registration marks 1308 of a generic optical
matrix. In
some implementations, registration mark may include one or more of marks
adjacent
to a generic optical matrix on the same substrate, marks within a generic
optical
matrix, marks made by and/or observable via optical means, and/or other marks.
Examples of registration marks may include one or more of thin lines, thin
achromatic lines, RGB lines, scattering lines, holographic white lines,
diffractive
and/or holographic thin lines, printed colored lines, and/or other marks. In
some
implementations, a registration mark may be included in the generic optical
matrix
and a corresponding registration mark may be included in a corresponding
negative.
(88) Turning back to FIG. 11, in some implementations, a radiation curable
material may be disposed between negative 1106 and generic optical matrix
1108.
The radiation curable material may have an index of refraction, when cured,
that is
the same as or similar to an index of refraction of generic optical matrix
1108. The
radiation curable material may include one or more materials (e.g., liquid,
gel, film,
and/or other materials) that become cured when exposed to radiation. Examples
of
such radiation may include one or more of ultraviolet radiation, laser
radiation,
electron beam radiation, sunlight radiation, UV LED radiation, and/or other
radiation.
In some implementation, the radiation curable material may include a lacquer
that is
cured when exposed to ultraviolet light. The radiation curable material may be
transparent when cured. The radiation curable material may be colored when
cured.
(89) When the radiation curable material has been cured, it may become
affixed,
adhered, bonded, and/or otherwise attached to generic optical matrix 1108. As
CA 02927043 2016-03-09
Attorney Docket No. 33449-445650
such, image generation component 1104 may be configured to obliterate
individual
ones of the pixels and/or sub-pixels of generic optical matrix 1108 by
exposing the
physical substrate embodying negative 1106 to radiation such that the
radiation
passes through portions of the physical substrate where negative 1106 is not
located
and exposes corresponding portions of the radiation curable material. The
portions
of the radiation curable material may become cured responsive to being exposed
to
the radiation. The cured radiation curable material may obliterate collocated
pixels
and/or sub-pixels. For example, a given sub-pixel may comprise an optical
structure
configured to give rise to an optical effect associated with the given sub-
pixel.
Because the radiation curable material may have an index of refraction that is
the
same as or similar to that of the optical structure, when the optical
structure is buried
by cured radiation curable material, the optical structure may lose its
ability to
provide the optical effect. In some implementations, obliterated pixels and/or
sub-
pixels may be rendered transparent. The obliterated pixels and/or sub-pixels
rendered transparent may allow a substrate of generic optical matrix 1108 to
be
visible at the obliterated pixels and/or sub-pixels rendered transparent. The
substrate of the generic optical matrix may be white (or any other color) such
that the
obliterated pixels and/or sub-pixels rendered transparent appear white (or any
other
color). In some implementations, a pixel and/or sub-pixel may be obliterated
by one
or more of chemical etching, laser ablation, and/or other techniques.
(90) In some implementations, image generation component 1104 may be
configured to print ink and/or otherwise deposit pigment on generic optical
matrix
1108. The image generation component 1104 may be configured to print black ink
and/or other pigments over individual pixels and/or sub-pixels (e.g.,
preserved and/or
obliterated pixels and/or sub-pixels). The image generation component 1104 may
be
36
CA 02927043 2016-03-09
Attorney Docket No. 33449-445650
configured to print black at various densities over individual ones of the
remaining
pixels and/or sub-pixels to affect a brightness of the individual ones of the
remaining
pixels and/or sub-pixels. The density of the black may refer to one or more of
a
stipple density of the black, a grey scale, and/or other ways in which the
density of
the black may be expressed.
(91) The optical image generated by image generation component 1104 may be
permanent and/or durable such that it is useful for a variety of applications.
For
example, due to the fact that a generic optical matrix may be made with
multiple
left/right views, some implementations may be applicable to three-dimensional
displays. Examples of three-dimensional displays may include one or more of 3D
computer screens, 3D television, screens for 3D games, telephone screens, head
mounted displays, medical monitors, LED displays, ELD displays, LCD displays,
OLED displays, SED displays, laser TV displays, carbon nanotubes displays,
quantom dot displays, light field displays, game displays, and/or other three-
dimensional displays. Some implementations may include an ability to
illuminate a
generic optical matrix. In some such implementations, a background panel
formed
by LEDs (or other light source) may be registered with a generic optical
matrix. One
the side of the generic optical matrix opposite the background panel, there
may be
color filters also in register with the generic optical matrix. The display
may receive
transmission signals similar to the transmission signals for TV broadcasting.
The
transmission signals may depend on individual optical structures of sub-pixels
that
illuminate a continuous image that will be visible because one image may go to
the
left eye and the other to the right eye, thus creating continuous three-
dimensional
images.
37
CA 02927043 2016-03-09
Attorney Docket No. 33449-445650
(92) Some implementations may facilitate printing instant optical structures.
For
example, once an optical image has been generated, it may be one or more of
electroformed on a nickel plate and/or on a continuous roller, molded on a
transparent film, made on top of the covering of a continuous roller, disposed
on a
nickel sleeve, disposed on a transparent sleeve, disposed on a cast resin
roller,
and/or otherwise facilitate printing instant optical structures.
(93) Some implementations may facilitate traditional embossing. For example,
on
an optical image has been created by image generation component 1104, it may
be
converted into a traditional embossing apparatus. Examples of a traditional
embossing apparatus may include one or more of a nickel shim, a nickel roller,
a
plastic shim, a plastic roller, a molded roller, a cast and cure film, a cold-
stamping or
hot-stamping application, a cast roll-to-roll UV curing equipment with
traditional ink
printing, and/or other traditional embossing apparatus. The traditional
embossing
apparatus may be used to engrave based on the optical image using a
traditional
embossing matching and/or UV/eB molding equipment for various applications,
such
as one or more of labels, packaging, security documents, posters, optical
films, self-
cleaning surfaces, structural color applications (e.g., Morpho butterfly
colors),
biomimetic structures, and/or other applications. Compared to conventional
approaches, exemplary implementations may provide a master that can be ready
to
emboss in only a few minutes instead of waiting days or several weeks. Thus,
exemplary implementation may give traditional embossing plants the advantage
of
being able to fabricate products very quickly for their clients without
delays.
(94) Some implementations may be used with traditional printing equipment. For
example, on an optical image has been created by image generation component
1104, it may be used as an embossing and/or molding accessory of a printing
38
CA 02927043 2016-03-09
=
=
Attorney Docket No. 33449-445650
machine for engraving and/or marking the image in register in an ink printout.
Contrary to conventional approaches, exemplary implementations may facilitate
a
printing company not having an optical laboratory at least because it does not
need
to have electroforming installations, it does not need embossing equipment,
and it
does not need laser systems.
(95) Some implementations may be used with roll-to-roll printing equipment
(see,
e.g., FIG. 14). For example, in a printing station of a traditional printer, a
radiation
curable material (e.g., a thixotropic lacquer, a curable UV lacquer or
coating, and/or
other material) for engraving may be applied before an engraving and/or
molding
accessory. The engraving and/or molding accessory may have an optical image
created by image generation component 1104 already fixed. When the radiation
curable material reaches an engraving and/or molding station, the optical
image may
be transferred to it, whether by pressure, UV molding, and/or other
techniques. In
the case of UV molding, system 1100 may take into account that a substrate to
be
printed on may be a transparent substrate such as a film or an opaque
substrate
such as a paper. For the purpose of being able to mold both types of
substrate,
namely those comprising transparent or opaque materials, the latter may be a
nickel
shim.
(96) According to some implementation, a cylinder or roller in a roll-to-roll
printing
apparatus may be illuminated by UV light from its interior for the purpose of
molding
the optical image on a substrate that travels over its surface (see, e.g.,
FIG. 15). An
effect of the UV illumination may be based on the physical laws of total
internal
reflection, similar to fiber optics that conducting light in their interior.
The UV light
may invade the cylinders, either from one or both sides. If the cylinder is
transparent, the UV light may be transmitted by the phenomenon of total
internal
39
CA 02927043 2016-03-09
Attorney Docket No. 33449-445650
reflection. In some implementations, a cylinder and a holographic shim may be
transparent (instead of a nickel shim) with a UV plastic copy of the optical
image
wrapped around the transparent cylinder.
(97) The cylinder may have internal cavities that enable cooled circulating
water to
enter through one side and exit through the other side of the cylinder (see,
e.g., FIG.
16). Such cooling may help keep the engraving film cold during the engraving
and/or
molding operation. If the use of a transparent cylinder or roller is not
desired, some
other type of roller may be used and still enable curing of transparent and/or
opaque
materials using the total internal reflection of the light. When the substrate
encloses
the engraving and/or molding, there may be an area between them for curing the
lacquer in the area of the outlet, where a narrow and concentrated ultraviolet
light
beam illuminates the sandwich that has resulted from the pressure between the
rollers in the outlet position two or three inches and begins to cure when the
lacquer
comes into contact with the optical characteristics due to the total internal
reflection
of the light. The embossing and/or molding roller may be cooled internally by
circulating water to keep the temperature of its surface sufficiently cold. In
some
implementations, a transparent cylinder (e.g., solid or with cavities for
cooling water)
may be illuminated on one side so the cylinder acts as a lens projecting on
the other
side of the cylinder a thin narrow high intensity strip of light (e.g., for
curing
purposes) (see, e.g., FIG. 16A).
(98) According to some implementations, instead of using an embossing and/or
molding station with the optical image created by image generation component
1104,
a generic optical matrix may be used which is selected depending on the
desired
optical effect(s). At a station, a printing block with the positive
characteristics may be
created. The printing block may transfer the image to the substrate via a
radiation
CA 02927043 2016-03-09
Attorney Docket No 33449-445650
curable material (e.g., a curable UV lacquer, a thixotropic lacquer, a lacquer
for
engraving, and/or other material). When this section arrives at the
ultraviolet drying
station in register, the lacquer may dry in the generic optical matrix in the
areas
where it is precisely positioned (see, e.g., FIG. 17).
(99) In some implementations, a substrate may be used that was previously
engraved and/or molded with ultraviolet light and already has a generic
optical matrix
on its surface with appropriate registration marks. If the printing machine
has re-
registration capabilities in one of its printing stations, a printing block
may be used
that is made from the shape of a negative retained by image negative component
1102. This block may transfer the lacquer in register only in the areas that
are
needed to erase (or obliterate) the optical structures of certain sub-pixels
thereby
preserving some sub-pixels that create the final optical image. Recall that
the
negative block may contain some or all of the necessary information of the
final
optical image (see, e.g., FIG. 18). If the re-registration capability of the
machine is
not used, the lacquer may be applied randomly or in a specific pattern,
creating all
sorts of optical effects on the generic optical matrix substrate. In addition,
the
substrate may include conventional inks in the printout, creating all types of
labels
(see, e.g., FIG. 19).
(/00) The negative 1106 being in an electronic format may facilitate a number
of
techniques for producing optical images. Examples of electronic formats may
include one or more of JPEG, TIFF, GIF, BMP, PNG, DDS, TARGA, DWG, PRT,
CMX, EPS, SVG, STL, ART, Al, PSD, PMD, QXD, DOC, 3DS, BLEND, DFF, FBX,
MA, MAX, SKP, VRML, BAT, JSFL, CLS, JAVA, MPEG, RM, SWF, PAGES, PCX,
PDD, SOT, DXF, DWF, SLDASM, WRL, and/or other electronic formats. The image
generation component 1104 may include an apparatus configured to print one or
41
CA 02927043 2016-03-09
,
Attorney Docket No. 33449-445650
more of ink, toner, water-based ink, solvent-based ink, UV curable ink,
thermal
transfer ribbon inks, digital printer inks, ink jet inks, and/or other
material directly on
the generic optical matrix such that pixels and/or sub-pixels that are printed
over
become obliterated. The image generation component 1104 may include an
apparatus configured to facilitate one or more of hot-stamping, cold stamping,
laser
ablation, chemical etching, and/or other printing techniques. Examples of
apparatuses included in image generation component 1104 may include one or
more
of an inkjet printer, a laser printer, flexographic equipment, offset
equipment,
silkscreen equipment, digital printing equipment, rotogravure equipment,
lithographic
equipment, coding equipment, demetallizing equipment, silver halide printing
equipment, hot-stamping equipment, cold stamping equipment, and/or other
apparatuses configured to print material.
(/01) The negative in an electronic format may be modifiable such that
successively
generated optical images are variable in that individual optical images are
different
from other optical images. For example, the optical image and the successive
optical images may include a variable code that is different for different
optical
images. Examples off the variable codes may include one or more of a linear
barcode, a matrix barcode (e.g., a OR code), an alphanumeric code, a graphical
code, a 2D code, sequential barcodes, sequential numbers, an encrypted code, a
datamatrix code, a matrix 2D code, an Aztec code, a maxi code, and/or other
variable codes. The optical image and the successive optical images may
include a
variable overt security feature and/or a variable covert security feature. An
overt
security feature may be configured to be used to identify an original document
(or
other object) by sight and/or touch. A covert security feature may become
apparent
42
CA 02927043 2016-03-09
Attorney Docket No. 33449-445650
when a document (or other object) is photocopied or scanned. That is, an
additional
action is required to activate a covert security feature.
(102) Some implementations may be used with digital printing equipment (see,
e.g.,
FIG. 20). Examples of digital printing equipment may include equipment
configured
to facilitate one or more of inkjet printing, digital offset printing, digital
thermal
transfer printing, laser printing, photographic paper printing, dye
sublimation printing,
thermal printing, nanography (e.g., as provided by Landa Corporation of
Israel),
electro ink thermal transfer printing, toner printing, dry-toner
electrophotography,
and/or other types of printing. As a generic optical matrix passes through a
printer or
other printing equipment, a negative may be continuously printed in register
with the
generic optical matrix. When the negative is variable, the optical image may
vary
from print to print. This may make it possible for the printing equipment to
print
different digital optical images as the substrate passes through the printing
equipment. In contrast to conventional techniques, exemplary implementations
may
digitally vary the ink printing and/or vary the optical images. By way of non-
limiting
example, one may print 10,000 labels in which an optical image is different on
every
label (see, e.g., FIG. 21). This may enable greater security in industrial
labeling and
packaging, as well as in security documents such as driver's licenses,
passports,
paper currency, government documents, and/or other security documents. Some
implementations may be applicable to track and trace of products based on the
optical variability of codes and/or other information encrypted onto the
optical
images.
(103) If a simple printable substrate is used (i.e., a plain substrate with no
pre-
printed generic optical matrix), the optical images may be varied print to
print.
According to some implementations, the digital printer may print different
negatives
43
CA 02927043 2016-03-09
Attorney Docket No. 33449-445650
on a substrate as the substrate travels through the machine. The printing of
the
negative may be performed with inks, metallic inks, transparent inks,
lacquers,
and/or other techniques. After the printing is done, embossing and/or molding
equipment may be used. A transfer mechanism (e.g., film on the roller, nickel,
and/or other mechanisms) with a generic optical matrix may press against
lacquer
already in place, creating variable optical images as substrate goes through
the
machine. In some implementations, optical structures may be printed in
register to
conventional inks.
(104) Some implementations may be used with desktop printers. Examples of
desktop printers may include one or more of inkjet printers, laser printers,
thermal
transfer ribbon printers, thermal printers, sublimation printers, photographic
printers,
silver halide substrate printers, and/or other desktop printers. Optical
images
generated by image generation component 1104 may be included on one or more of
security documents, decorative papers, CD covers, over-laminates, security
laminates, labels, posters, greeting cards, and/or other printable surfaces. A
generic
optical matrix may be engraved and/or molded on substrates such as paper (real
or
synthetic), films (e.g., acetates, polycarbonates, PVC, and/or other films),
and/or
other substrates with or without adhesive or temperature-activated coatings. A
substrate may be cut it into appropriate sheets compatible with desktop
printers.
(105) For example, a sheet of paper with a generic optical matrix may be fed
into a
desktop printer. The desktop printer may receive information (e.g., a negative
in an
electronic format) from a computer, camera, and/or another device. Based on
that
information, the negative image may be printed in register with the sheet of
paper
with ink and/or engraved with a laser. That way, for example, if the idea is
to have a
3D optical image in the right-hand corner of the sheet with hidden
information, it may
44
CA 02927043 2016-03-09
Attorney Docket No. 33449-445650
be printed at the same time as the rest of the text or drawing that is being
printed on
the sheet of paper. The final result may be a sheet of paper in full color or
in black
and white with an optical image in the right-hand corner of the sheet. There
may be
infinite variations from sheet to sheet. The optical images may be created as
an
optical watermark that may cover the document completely. If the sheet of
paper is
an invitation to a party, for example, it may have colorful optical effects in
any part
desired (e.g., to coincide with an image of balloons).
(106) Using a desktop printer may not require radiation exposure or curing. If
a
laser printer is used, one or more additional laser heads may be added, which
lightly
engrave over optical structures of a generic optical matrix on a sheet of
paper (or
other substrate). Such engraving may be performed to obliterate pixels and/or
sub-
pixels. If the printer is an inkjet printer, a new color may be added to the
printer
head. As an example of a color, it may be white and/or any other color. In
some
implementations, a pressure-sensitive generic optical matrix may be used. By
way
of non-limiting example, a printer may create many labels on one page which
can be
optically sequential and/or have decorative and/or optical 3D images.
(107) In some implementations, a transparent substrate may be used for the
generic optical matrix. For example, for passports, visas, driver's licenses,
and/or
other documents, a superposed sheet of material may have any type of optical
image produced by image generation component 1104. An optical image may
include hidden information. An optical image may include sequential optical
images.
Documents with photographs may be created optically, so the photograph itself
may
include a 2D optical image, a 3D optical image, an animated optical image, an
optical variable code, and/or other optical images of a person. Since that
does not
currently exist, a system with such capabilities is very advantageous.
CA 02927043 2016-03-09
Attorney Docket No. 33449-445650
(108) Some implementations may be used in optical encoding. Codes may be
applied to all types of objects or products. Codes may be variable in that
they may
include one or more of variable data, sequential numbers, variable codes,
variable
bar codes, variable images, optically variable matrix barcodes (e.g., QR
codes), 2D
codes, barcodes, sequential numbers, variable databases, and/or other
information.
Some implementations may be used for tracking purposes. Codes may be
encrypted or unencrypted. In some implementations, objects or products may be
encoded with sequentially variable optical images. This may add an extra layer
of
security due to the fact that these optical images may also have sequentially
hidden
security characteristics. Even without the characteristic of hidden security,
exemplary embodiments used with encoding offer a layer of security to the
object or
product that is impossible to duplicate on conventional printing equipment.
(109) By way of non-limiting example, a generic optical structure may be
engraved
on a pressure-sensitive material, which may be used for generic optical matrix
labels. Such labels may be delivered to a consumer, who in turn may apply them
to
their objects or products. Once the object or product passes through an
encoding
line within an inkjet and/or laser encoding system, the generation of positive
images
may occur based on digital information provided to the head of the encoder.
The
encoding head may erase optical structures of the generic optical matrix by
placing
ink over them and/or using a laser to erase them. The result may be that, as
the
product travels with its generic optical matrix label, an encoding system
available in
the marketplace may create optical images in accordance with one or more
implementations over them and, at the same time, these images can be
sequentially
variable.
46
CA 02927043 2016-03-09
Attorney Docket No. 33449-445650
(110) As mentioned above connection with FIG. 11, image negative component
1102 may include electronic storage configured to store the negative in an
electronic
format (e.g., in implementations in which negative 1106 is in an electronic
format).
Electronic storage may comprise non-transitory storage media that
electronically
stores information. The electronic storage media of electronic storage may
include
one or both of system storage that is provided integrally (i.e., substantially
non-
removable) with a computing device and/or printing apparatus and/or removable
storage that is removably connectable to a computing device and/or printing
apparatus via, for example, a port (e.g., a USB port, a firewire port, etc.)
or a drive
(e.g., a disk drive, etc.). Electronic storage may include one or more of
optically
readable storage media (e.g., optical disks, etc.), magnetically readable
storage
media (e.g., magnetic tape, magnetic hard drive, floppy drive, etc.),
electrical charge-
based storage media (e.g., EEPROM, RAM, etc.), solid-state storage media
(e.g.,
flash drive, etc.), and/or other electronically readable storage media.
Electronic
storage may include one or more virtual storage resources (e.g., cloud
storage, a
virtual private network, and/or other virtual storage resources). Electronic
storage
may store software algorithms, information determined by processor(s),
information
received from a computing device and/or printing apparatus, and/or other
information
that enables image negative component 1102 to function as described herein.
(111) The image negative component 1102 may include one or more processors
configured to provide processing capabilities in image negative component
1102.
The one or more processors may be configured to provide information associated
with the negative to one or more other components of system 1100 (e.g., in
implementations in which negative 1106 is in an electronic format). Examples
of
such information may include printing instructions to print the negative,
instructions
47
CA 02927043 2016-03-09
Attorney Docket No 33449-445650
to copy or store the negative, instructions to change or modify the negative
(e.g.,
change a value of a code on the negative), and/or other information. The
processor(s) may include one or more of a digital processor, an analog
processor, a
digital circuit designed to process information, an analog circuit designed to
process
information, a state machine, and/or other mechanisms for electronically
processing
information. In some implementations, the processor(s) may include a plurality
of
processing units, which may be physically located within the same device or a
plurality of devices operating in coordination. The processor(s) may be
configured to
execute machine-readable instructions. The processor(s) may be configured to
execute machine-readable instructions by software; hardware; firmware; some
combination of software, hardware, and/or firmware; and/or other mechanisms
for
configuring processing capabilities on the processor(s).
(112) In some implementations, a generic optical matrix may be used to provide
nanostructures. Examples of such nanostructures may include one or more of
photonic structures, hydrophobic structures, gecko-type structures, and/or
other
nanostructures. By way of non-limiting example, a hydrophobic structure may be
combined with a gecko type structure to create an optical variable matrix with
these
two structures. This may facilitate guiding one or more liquids thorough
different
passages in order to guide the one or more liquids to different sensors. As
another
example involving photonic structures, two or more may be combined in an
optical
variable matrix structure to provide one or more waveguides.
(113) ' FIG. 22 illustrates a method 2200 for fabricating variable digital
optical images
using generic optical matrices, in accordance with one or more
implementations.
The operations of method 2200 presented below are intended to be illustrative.
In
some implementations, method 2200 may be accomplished with one or more
48
CA 02927043 2016-03-09
Attorney Docket No. 33449-445650
additional operations not described, and/or without one or more of the
operations
discussed. Additionally, the order in which the operations of method 2200 are
illustrated in FIG. 22 and described below is not intended to be limiting.
(114) In some implementations, one or more operations of method 2200 may be
implemented in one or more processing devices (e.g., a digital processor, an
analog
processor, a digital circuit designed to process information, an analog
circuit
designed to process information, a state machine, and/or other mechanisms for
electronically processing information). The one or more processing devices may
include one or more devices executing some or all of the operations of method
2200
in response to instructions stored electronically on an electronic storage
medium.
The one or more processing devices may include one or more devices configured
through hardware, firmware, and/or software to be specifically designed for
execution of one or more of the operations of method 2200.
(115) At an operation 2202, a negative corresponding to a base image may be
retained. The negative may be based on the base image and a geometry
associated
with a generic optical matrix. The generic optical matrix may have 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. The geometry may indicate locations and colors of
pixels in
the generic optical matrix. The geometry may indicate locations and non-color
effects of sub-pixels within the pixels. Operation 2202 may be performed by an
image negative component that is the same as or similar to image negative
component 1102, in accordance with one or more implementations.
49
CA 02927043 2016-03-09
Attorney Docket No. 33449-445650
(116) At an operation 2204, individual ones of the pixels and/or sub-pixels of
the
generic optical matrix may be obliterated according to the negative while
preserving
remaining pixels and/or sub-pixels. The remaining pixels and/or sub-pixels may
form
an optical image corresponding to the 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. Operation 2204 may be
performed by an image generation component that is the same as or similar to
image generation component 1104, in accordance with one or more
implementations.
(117) One aspect ("aspect one") relates to a generic optical matrix having
pixels
corresponding to color and sub-pixels corresponding to non-color effects, the
generic
optical matrix comprising: a substrate; and an array of pixels disposed on the
substrate, the array comprising first pixels corresponding to a first color
and second
pixels corresponding to a second color, the first color being different from
the second
color, the first pixels and second pixels being arranged in a motif such that
individual
ones of the first pixels are positioned adjacent to individual ones of the
second
pixels; wherein individual ones of the pixels comprise sub-pixels, a given
pixel
comprising a first sub-pixel and a second sub-pixel, the first sub-pixel
comprising a
first optical structure configured such that light reflected or transmitted by
the first
optical structure of the first sub-pixel is directed toward a left eye of a
person
observing the generic optical matrix from a first viewing angle, the second
sub-pixel
comprising a second optical structure configured such that light reflected or
transmitted by the second optical structure of the second sub-pixel is
directed toward
a right eye of the person observing the generic optical matrix from the first
viewing
CA 02927043 2016-03-09
Attorney Docket No. 33449-445650
angle, the light reflected or transmitted by the first sub-pixel and the
second sub-pixel
being the corresponding color of the given pixel.
(118) Another aspect ("aspect two") relates to the generic optical matrix of
aspect
one, wherein the substrate includes one or more of photoresist, nickel plate,
polyester film, silicon, polycarbonate film, or ultraviolet substrate.
(119) Another aspect ("aspect three") relates to the generic optical matrix of
aspect
one, wherein: the array further comprises third pixels corresponding to a
third color;
the third color is different from the first color and the second color; and
the third
pixels are arranged in the motif such that individual ones of the third pixels
are
positioned adjacent to individual ones of the first pixels and individual ones
of the
second pixels.
(120) Another aspect ("aspect four") relates to the generic optical matrix of
aspect
three, wherein: the array further comprises fourth pixels corresponding to a
fourth
color; the fourth color is different from the first color, the second color,
and the third
color; and the fourth pixels are arranged in the motif such that individual
ones of the
fourth pixels are positioned adjacent to individual ones of the first pixels,
individual
ones of the second pixels, and individual ones of the third pixels.
(121) Another aspect ("aspect five") relates to the generic optical matrix of
aspect
one, wherein the given pixel comprises a third sub-pixel and a fourth sub-
pixel, the
third subpixel comprising a third optical structure configured such that light
reflected
or transmitted by the third optical structure of the third sub-pixel is
directed toward a
left eye of a person observing the generic optical matrix from the second
viewing
angle, the fourth sub-pixel comprising a fourth optical structure configured
such that
light reflected or transmitted by the fourth optical structure of the fourth
sub-pixel is
51
CA 02927043 2016-03-09
Attorney Docket No. 33449-445650
directed toward a right eye of the person observing the generic optical matrix
from
the second viewing angle, the light reflected or transmitted by the third sub-
pixel and
the fourth sub-pixel being the corresponding color of the given pixel.
(122) Another aspect ("aspect six") relates to the generic optical matrix of
aspect
one, wherein a given optical structure includes one or more of a grating, a
hologram,
a kinegram, a Fresnel lens, a diffractive optically variable image device, a
pixelgram,
a holographic stereogram, a diffraction identification device, a dielectric
structure, a
volume hologram, an interference security image structure, a computer-
generated
hologram, or an electron-beam grating.
(123) Another aspect ("aspect seven") relates to the generic optical matrix of
aspect
one, wherein the array of pixels is arranged as one of a square lattice, a
hexagonal
lattice, triangular lattice, rectangular lattice, a random arrangement, or a
pseudorandom arrangement.
(124) Another aspect ("aspect eight") relates to the generic optical matrix of
aspect
one, wherein individual ones of the pixels are shaped as a circle, a square, a
rectangle, a line, an oval, a rounded square, or dots.
(/25) Another aspect ("aspect nine") relates to the generic optical matrix of
aspect
one, wherein the optical matrix covers an area with one linear dimension being
in the
range of 0.01 microns to 90 inches.
(126) Another aspect ("aspect ten") relates to the generic optical matrix of
aspect
one, wherein the array of pixels has a resolution in the range of one pixel
per inch to
500,000 pixels per inch.
(127) One aspect ("aspect eleven") relates to a method for fabricating a
generic
optical matrix having pixels corresponding to color and sub-pixels
corresponding to
52
CA 02927043 2016-03-09
Attorney Docket No. 33449-445650
non-color effects, the method comprising: obtaining a substrate; defining an
array of
pixels disposed on the substrate, the array comprising first pixels
corresponding to a
first color and second pixels corresponding to a second color, the first color
being
different from the second color, the first pixels and second pixels being
arranged in a
motif such that individual ones of the first pixels are positioned adjacent to
individual
ones of the second pixels; and forming sub-pixels within individual ones of
the pixels,
a given pixel comprising a first sub-pixel and a second sub-pixel, the first
sub-pixel
comprising a first optical structure configured such that light reflected or
transmitted
by the first optical structure of the first sub-pixel is directed toward a
left eye of a
person observing the generic optical matrix from the first viewing angle, the
second
sub- pixel comprising a second optical structure configured such that light
reflected
or transmitted by the second optical structure of the second sub- pixel is
directed
toward a right eye of the person observing the generic optical matrix from the
first
viewing angle, the light reflected or transmitted by the first sub-pixel and
the second
sub-pixel being the corresponding color of the given pixel.
(128) Another aspect ("aspect twelve") relates to the method of aspect eleven,
wherein: the array further comprises third pixels corresponding to a third
color; the
third color is different from the first color and the second color; and the
third pixels
are arranged in the motif such that individual ones of the third pixels are
positioned
adjacent to individual ones of the first pixels and individual ones of the
second pixels.
(129) Another aspect ("aspect thirteen") relates to the method of aspect
eleven,
wherein: the given pixel comprises a third sub-pixel and a fourth sub-pixel;
the third
sub-pixel comprises a third optical structure configured such that light
reflected or
transmitted by the third optical structure is directed toward a left eye of a
person
observing the generic optical matrix from a second viewing angle; the fourth
sub-
53
CA 02927043 2016-03-09
Attorney Docket No. 33449-445650
pixel comprises a fourth optical structure configured such that light
reflected or
transmitted by the fourth optical structure is directed toward a right eye of
a person
observing the generic optical matrix from the second viewing angle; and the
light
reflected or transmitted by the third sub-pixel and the fourth sub-pixel
(130) One aspect ("aspect fourteen") relates to a system configured for
generating
negatives of variable digital holographic images based on desired images and
generic optical matrices, the system comprising: one or more physical
processors
configured by machine-readable instructions to: obtain an original image;
obtain a
geometry associated with a generic optical matrix, the generic optical matrix
having
pixels corresponding to color and sub-pixels corresponding to non-color
effects, the
pixels including first pixels corresponding to a first color and second pixels
corresponding to a second color, the sub-pixels including first sub-pixels
corresponding to a first non-color effect and second sub-pixels corresponding
to a
second non-color effect, the geometry indicating locations and colors of
pixels in the
generic optical matrix, the geometry further indicating locations and non-
color effects
of sub-pixels within the pixels; perform color separation on the original
image to
provide two or more separations including a first separation and a second
separation, the first separation corresponding to the first color and the
second
separation corresponding to the second color; index the separations to the
geometry
associated with the generic optical matrix to provide indexed separations, the
first
separation being indexed to the geometry with respect to the first color and
the first
non-color effect to provide an indexed first separation associated with the
first non-
color effect, the first separation being indexed to the geometry with respect
to the
first color and the second non-color effect to provide an indexed first
separation
associated with the second non-color effect, the second separation being
indexed to
54
CA 02927043 2016-03-09
Attorney Docket No. 33449-445650
the geometry with respect to the second color and the first non-color effect
to provide
an indexed second separation associated with the first non-color effect, the
second
separation being indexed to the geometry with respect to the second color and
the
second non-color effect to provide an indexed second separation associated
with the
second non-color effect; and merge the indexed separations to provide a
negative of
the original image.
(131) Another aspect ("aspect fifteen") relates to the system of aspect
fourteen,
wherein: the pixels further include third pixels corresponding to a third
color; and the
two or more separations further include a third separation corresponding to
the third
color.
(132) Another aspect ("aspect sixteen") relates to the system of aspect
fourteen,
wherein: the pixels further include fourth pixels corresponding to a fourth
color; and
the two or more separations further include a fourth separation corresponding
to the
fourth color.
(133) Another aspect ("aspect seventeen") relates to the system of aspect
fourteen,
wherein a given separation corresponding to a given color is indexed to the
geometry associated with the generic optical matrix with respect to a given
non-color
effect by preserving areas of the given separation that spatially correspond
to pixels
of the generic optical matrix corresponding to the given color and sub-pixels
within
the pixels corresponding to the given non-color effect, unpreserved areas of
the
given separation being obliterated.
(134) Another aspect ("aspect eighteen") relates to the system of aspect
seventeen,
wherein the indexed first separation associated with the first non-color
effect, the
indexed first separation associated with the second non-color effect, the
indexed
CA 02927043 2016-03-09
Attorney Docket No. 33449-445650
second separation associated with the first non-color effect, and the indexed
second
separation associated with the second non-color effect are merged by combining
the
preserved areas while maintaining the spatial position of the preserved areas.
(135) Another aspect ("aspect nineteen") relates to the system of aspect
fourteen,
wherein a given separation corresponding to a given color is indexed to the
geometry associated with the generic optical matrix with respect to a given
non-color
effect by obliterating areas of the given separation that spatially correspond
to pixels
of the generic optical matrix corresponding to the given color and sub-pixels
within
the pixels corresponding to the given non-color effect, unobliterated areas of
the
given separation being preserved.
(136) Another aspect ("aspect twenty") relates to the system of aspect
nineteen,
wherein the indexed first separation associated with the first non-color
effect, the
indexed first separation associated with the second non-color effect, the
indexed
second separation associated with the first non-color effect, and the indexed
second
separation associated with the second non-color effect are merged by combining
the
obliterated areas while maintaining the spatial position of the obliterated
areas.
(137) Another aspect ("aspect twenty one") relates to the system of aspect
fourteen,
wherein: the first sub-pixels corresponding to the first non-color effect are
configured
to cause light reflected or transmitted by the first sub-pixels to be directed
toward a
left eye of a person observing the generic optical matrix from a first viewing
angle;
and the second sub-pixels corresponding to the second non-color effect are
configured to cause light reflected or transmitted by the second sub-pixels to
be
directed toward a right eye of the person observing the generic optical matrix
from
the first viewing angle.
56
CA 02927043 2016-03-09
,
Attorney Docket No. 33449-445650
(138) One aspect ("aspect twenty two") relates to a method for generating
negatives
of variable digital holographic images based on desired images and generic
optical
matrices, the method being performed by one or more physical processors
configured by machine-readable instruction, the method comprising: obtaining
an
original image; obtaining a geometry associated with a generic optical matrix,
the
generic optical matrix having pixels corresponding to color and sub-pixels
corresponding to non-color effects, the pixels including first pixels
corresponding to a
first color and second pixels corresponding to a second color, the sub-pixels
including first sub-pixels corresponding to a first non-color effect and
second sub-
pixels corresponding to a second non-color effect, the geometry indicating
locations
and colors of pixels in the generic optical matrix, the geometry further
indicating
locations and non-color effects of sub-pixels within the pixels; performing
color
separation on the original image to provide two or more separations including
a first
separation and a second separation, the first separation corresponding to the
first
color and the second separation corresponding to the second color; indexing
the
separations to the geometry associated with the generic optical matrix to
provide
indexed separations, the first separation being indexed to the geometry with
respect
to the first color and the first non-color effect to provide an indexed first
separation
associated with the first non-color effect, the first separation being indexed
to the
geometry with respect to the first color and the second non-color effect to
provide an
indexed first separation associated with the second non-color effect, the
second
separation being indexed to the geometry with respect to the second color and
the
first non-color effect to provide an indexed second separation associated with
the
first non-color effect, the second separation being indexed to the geometry
with
respect to the second color and the second non-color effect to provide an
indexed
57
CA 02927043 2016-03-09
Attorney Docket No. 33449-445650
second separation associated with the second non-color effect; and merging the
indexed separations to provide a negative of the original image.
(139) Another aspect ("aspect twenty three") relates to the method of aspect
twenty
two, wherein: the pixels further include third pixels corresponding to a third
color; and
the two or more separations further include a third separation corresponding
to the
third color.
(140) Another aspect ("aspect twenty four") relates to the system of aspect
twenty
three, wherein: the pixels further include fourth pixels corresponding to a
fourth color;
and the two or more separations further include a fourth separation
corresponding to
the fourth color.
(141) Another aspect ("aspect twenty five") relates to the system of aspect
twenty
two, wherein a given separation corresponding to a given color is indexed to
the
geometry associated with the generic optical matrix with respect to a given
non-color
effect by preserving areas of the given separation that spatially correspond
to pixels
of the generic optical matrix corresponding to the given color and sub-pixels
within
the pixels corresponding to the given non-color effect, unpreserved areas of
the
given separation being obliterated.
(142) Another aspect ("aspect twenty six") relates to the system of aspect
twenty
five, wherein the indexed first separation associated with the first non-color
effect,
the indexed first separation associated with the second non-color effect, the
indexed
second separation associated with the first non-color effect, and the indexed
second
separation associated with the second non-color effect are merged by combining
the
preserved areas while maintaining the spatial position of the preserved areas.
58
CA 02927043 2016-03-09
Attorney Docket No. 33449-445650
(143) Another aspect ("aspect twenty seven") relates to the system of aspect
twenty
two, wherein a given separation corresponding to a given color is indexed to
the
geometry associated with the generic optical matrix with respect to a given
non-color
effect by obliterating areas of the given separation that spatially correspond
to pixels
of the generic optical matrix corresponding to the given color and sub-pixels
within
the pixels corresponding to the given non-color effect, unobliterated areas of
the
given separation being preserved.
(144) Another aspect ("aspect twenty eight") relates to the system of aspect
twenty
seven, wherein the indexed first separation associated with the first non-
color effect,
the indexed first separation associated with the second non-color effect, the
indexed
second separation associated with the first non-color effect, and the indexed
second
separation associated with the second non-color effect are merged by combining
the
obliterated areas while maintaining the spatial position of the obliterated
areas.
(145) Another aspect ("aspect twenty nine") relates to the system of aspect
twenty
two, wherein: the first sub-pixels corresponding to the first non-color effect
are
configured to cause light reflected or transmitted by the first sub-pixels to
be directed
toward a left eye of a person observing the generic optical matrix from a
first viewing
angle; and the second sub-pixels corresponding to the second non-color effect
are
configured to cause light reflected or transmitted by the second sub-pixels to
be
directed toward a right eye of the person observing the generic optical matrix
from
the first viewing angle.
(146) One aspect ("aspect thirty") relates to a non-transitory computer-
readable
storage medium having instructions embodied thereon, the instructions being
executable by one or more physical processors to perform a method for
generating
negatives of variable digital holographic images based on desired images and
59
CA 02927043 2016-03-09
Attorney Docket No. 33449-445650
generic optical matrices, the method comprising: obtaining an original image;
obtaining a geometry associated with a generic optical matrix, the generic
optical
matrix having pixels corresponding to color and sub-pixels corresponding to
non-
color effects, the pixels including first pixels corresponding to a first
color and second
pixels corresponding to a second color, the sub-pixels including first sub-
pixels
corresponding to a first non-color effect and second sub-pixels corresponding
to a
second non-color effect, the geometry indicating locations and colors of
pixels in the
generic optical matrix, the geometry further indicating locations and non-
color effects
of sub-pixels within the pixels; performing color separation on the original
image to
provide two or more separations including a first separation and a second
separation, the first separation corresponding to the first color and the
second
separation corresponding to the second color; indexing the separations to the
geometry associated with the generic optical matrix to provide indexed
separations,
the first separation being indexed to the geometry with respect to the first
color and
the first non-color effect to provide an indexed first separation associated
with the
first non-color effect, the first separation being indexed to the geometry
with respect
to the first color and the second non-color effect to provide an indexed first
separation associated with the second non-color effect, the second separation
being
indexed to the geometry with respect to the second color and the first non-
color
effect to provide an indexed second separation associated with the first non-
color
effect, the second separation being indexed to the geometry with respect to
the
second color and the second non-color effect to provide an indexed second
separation associated with the second non-color effect; and merging the
indexed
separations to provide a negative of the original image.
CA 02927043 2016-03-09
Attorney Docket No. 33449-445650
(147) Another aspect ("aspect thirty one") relates to the storage medium of
aspect
thirty, wherein a given separation corresponding to a given color is indexed
to the
geometry associated with the generic optical matrix with respect to a given
non-color
effect by preserving areas of the given separation that spatially correspond
to pixels
of the generic optical matrix corresponding to the given color and sub-pixels
within
the pixels corresponding to the given non-color effect, unpreserved areas of
the
given separation being obliterated.
(148) Another aspect ("aspect thirty two") relates to the storage medium of
aspect
thirty one, wherein the indexed first separation associated with the first non-
color
effect, the indexed first separation associated with the second non-color
effect, the
indexed second separation associated with the first non-color effect, and the
indexed
second separation associated with the second non-color effect are merged by
combining the preserved areas while maintaining the spatial position of the
preserved areas.
(149) Another aspect ("aspect thirty three") relates to the storage medium of
aspect
thirty, wherein a given separation corresponding to a given color is indexed
to the
geometry associated with the generic optical matrix with respect to a given
non-color
effect by obliterating areas of the given separation that spatially correspond
to pixels
of the generic optical matrix corresponding to the given color and sub-pixels
within
the pixels corresponding to the given non-color effect, unobliterated areas of
the
given separation being preserved.
(150) One aspect ("aspect thirty four") relates to a system configured for
fabricating
variable digital optical images using generic optical matrices, the variable
digital
optical images including different optical images instantly produced in a
single
printing cycle, the system comprising: an image negative component configured
to
61
CA 02927043 2016-03-09
Attorney Docket No. 33449-445650
retain a negative corresponding to a base image, the negative being based on
the
base image and a geometry associated with a pre-prepared physical generic
optical
matrix, the generic optical matrix having an arrayed motif of pixels
corresponding to
color and sub-pixels corresponding to non-color effects, the pixels including
first
pixels corresponding to a first color and second pixels corresponding to a
second
color, the sub-pixels including first sub-pixels corresponding to a first non-
color effect
and second sub-pixels corresponding to a second non-color effect, the geometry
indicating locations and colors of pixels in the generic optical matrix, the
geometry
further indicating locations and non-color effects of sub-pixels within the
pixels,
wherein a given non-color effect corresponds to one or more of viewing angle,
viewing distance, polarization, intensity, scattering, refractive index, or
birefringence;
and an image generation component configured to obliterate individual ones of
the
pixels and/or sub-pixels of the generic optical matrix according to the
negative while
preserving remaining pixels and/or sub-pixels, the remaining pixels and/or sub-
pixels
forming an optical image corresponding to the base image, the optical image
being
colored based on the remaining pixels, the optical image exhibiting non-color
effects
corresponding to the remaining sub-pixels, wherein the image generation
component
is configured to selectively obliterate a given pixel and/or sub-pixel by one
or more of
printing a pigment over the given pixel and/or sub-pixel, curing a radiation-
curable
material over the given pixel and/or sub-pixel, chemical etching away the
given pixel
and/or sub-pixel, or laser ablating the given pixel and/or sub-pixel.
(/5/) Another aspect ("aspect thirty five") relates to the system of aspect
thirty four,
wherein the optical image comprises one or more of a hologram, a stereo image,
a
hologram, a stereo image, an optically variable device based image, a
diffractive
optically variable image, a zero order device based image, a blazed
diffraction
62
CA 02927043 2016-03-09
Attorney Docket No. 33449-445650
structure based image, a first order device based image, a dot matrix image, a
pixelgram image, a structural color structure based image, a diffractive
identification
device based image, an interference security image structure based image, a
kinegram image, an excelgram image, a diffractive optical element based image,
a
photonic structure based image, a nanohole based image, a computer generated
hologram, an electron-beam generated optical structure, or an interference
patterns.
(/52) Another aspect ("aspect thirty six") relates to the system of aspect
thirty four,
wherein the non-color effects of the remaining sub-pixels give rise to one or
more
optical effects observable when viewing the optical image, the one or more
optical
effects including one or more of a three-dimensional optical effect, a two-
dimensional
optical effect, a dynamic optical effect, a scattering effect, a holographic
white effect,
a lens effect, a Fresnel lens effect, a brightness modulation effect, a
lithographic
effect, a stereogram effect, a nanotext and/or microtext effect, a hidden
image effect,
a moire effect, a concealed animated pattern effect, a covert laser readable
(CLR)
effect, a multiple background effect, a pearlescent effect, a true color image
effect, a
guilloche effect, an animation effect, an achromatic Fresnel effect, a dynamic
CLR
image, a kinematic images, a full parallax effect, a scratch holographic
effect, a
polarizing effect, a watermark effect, a metallic effect, a binary optical
structure, or a
Fresnel prism.
(153) Another aspect ("aspect thirty seven") relates to the system of aspect
thirty
four, wherein individual ones of the remaining sub-pixels reflect light at a
specific
viewing angle with a color corresponding to that of the individual pixels
associated
with the remaining sub-pixels.
(154) Another aspect ("aspect thirty eight") relates to the system of aspect
thirty
four, wherein the negative is embodied on a physical substrate.
63
CA 02927043 2016-03-09
Attorney Docket No. 33449-445650
(155) Another aspect ("aspect thirty nine") relates to the system of aspect
thirty four,
wherein the physical substrate is a transparent film and the negative is
printed on the
transparent film.
(156) Another aspect ("aspect forty") relates to the system of aspect thirty
nine,
further comprising an aligner component configured to align one or more
registration
marks on the negative with one or more corresponding registration marks on the
generic optical matrix.
(157) Another aspect ("aspect forty one") relates to the system of aspect
thirty nine,
wherein a radiation curable material is disposed between the negative and the
generic optical matrix, the radiation curable material having an index of
refraction,
when cured, that is the same as or similar to an index of refraction of the
generic
optical matrix.
(158) Another aspect ("aspect forty two") relates to the system of aspect
forty one,
wherein the radiation curable material is one or more of: a lacquer that is
cured when
exposed to ultraviolet light; transparent or translucent when cured; or
colored when
cured.
(159) Another aspect ("aspect forty three") relates to the system of aspect
forty two,
wherein the image generation component is configured to obliterate the
individual
ones of the pixels and/or sub-pixels by exposing the physical substrate
embodying
the negative to radiation such that the radiation passes through portions of
the
physical substrate where the negative is not located and exposes corresponding
portions of the radiation curable material, the portions of the radiation
curable
material becoming cured responsive to being exposed to the radiation, the
cured
radiation curable material obliterating collocated pixels and/or sub-pixels.
64
CA 02927043 2016-03-09
Attorney Docket No. 33449-445650
(160) Another aspect ("aspect forty four") relates to the system of aspect
thirty nine,
wherein individual obliterated pixels and/or sub-pixels are rendered
transparent, the
obliterated pixels and/or sub-pixels rendered transparent allowing a substrate
of the
generic optical matrix to be visible at the obliterated pixels and/or sub-
pixels
rendered transparent.
(161) Another aspect ("aspect forty five") relates to the system of aspect
thirty nine,
wherein the image generation component is further configured to print black
over
individual ones of the obliterated pixels and/or sub-pixels.
(162) Another aspect ("aspect forty six") relates to the system of aspect
thirty nine,
wherein the image generation component is further configured to print black at
various densities over individual ones of the remaining pixels and/or sub-
pixels to
affect a brightness of the individual ones of the remaining pixels and/or sub-
pixels.
(163) Another aspect ("aspect forty seven") relates to the system of aspect
thirty
nine, wherein the optical image is one or both of: usable in a printing press
to
transfer copies of the optical image to different substrates using an
embossing
process and/or a molding process; or usable to make nickel plates and/or
engravable sleeves engraving applications and/or molding applications.
(164) Another aspect ("aspect forty eight") relates to the system of aspect
thirty four,
wherein the negative is in an electronic format.
(165) Another aspect ("aspect forty nine") relates to the system of aspect
forty eight,
wherein the image generation component includes an apparatus configured to
print
ink or toner directly on the generic optical matrix such that pixels and/or
sub-pixels
that are printed over become obliterated.
CA 02927043 2016-03-09
Attorney Docket No. 33449-445650
(166) Another aspect ("aspect fifty") relates to the system of aspect forty
nine,
wherein the negative is modifiable such that successively generated optical
images
are variable in that individual optical images are different from other
optical images.
(167) Another aspect ("aspect fifty one") relates to the system of aspect
thirty four,
wherein the optical image and successive optical images include a variable
code that
is different for different optical images, the variable codes including one or
more of a
linear barcode, a matrix barcode, an alphanumeric code, a graphical code, a 2D
code, sequential barcodes, sequential numbers, an encrypted code, a datamatrix
code, a matrix 2D code, an Aztec code, or a maxi code.
(168) Another aspect ("aspect fifty two") relates to the system of aspect
fifty one,
wherein the optical image and the successive optical images include one or
both of a
variable overt security feature or a variable covert security feature.
(169) One aspect ("aspect fifty three") relates to a method for fabricating
variable
digital optical images using generic optical matrices, the variable digital
optical
images including different printed optical images instantly produced on the
same
image area in a single printing cycle, the method comprising: retaining a
negative
corresponding to a base image, the negative being based on the base image and
a
geometry associated with a pre-prepared physical generic optical matrix, the
generic
optical matrix having an arrayed motif of static physical pixels corresponding
to color
and sub-pixels corresponding to non-color effects, the pixels including first
pixels
corresponding to a first color and second pixels corresponding to a second
color, the
sub-pixels including first sub-pixels corresponding to a first non-color
effect and
second sub-pixels corresponding to a second non-color effect, the geometry
indicating locations and colors of pixels in the generic optical matrix, the
geometry
further indicating locations and non-color effects of sub-pixels within the
pixels,
66
CA 02927043 2016-03-09
Attorney Docket No. 33449-445650
wherein a given non-color effect corresponds to one or more of viewing angle,
viewing distance, polarization, intensity, scattering, refractive index, or
birefringence;
and obliterating during a single printing cycle individual ones of the pixels
and/or sub-
pixels of the generic optical matrix according to the negative while
preserving
remaining pixels and/or sub-pixels, the remaining pixels and/or sub-pixels
forming an
optical image corresponding to the base image, the optical image being colored
based on the remaining pixels, the optical image exhibiting non-color effects
corresponding to the remaining sub-pixels, wherein obliterating a given pixel
and/or
sub-pixel includes one or more of printing a pigment over the given pixel
and/or sub-
pixel, curing a radiation-curable material over the given pixel and/or sub-
pixel,
chemical etching away the given pixel and/or sub-pixel, or laser ablating the
given
pixel and/or sub-pixel.
(170) Another aspect ("aspect fifty four") relates to the method of aspect
fifty three,
wherein the negative is embodied on a physical substrate.
(171) Another aspect ("aspect fifty five") relates to the method of aspect
fifty four,
further comprising aligning one or more registration marks on the negative
with one
or more corresponding registration marks on the generic optical matrix,
wherein a
given registration mark is included in the generic optical matrix and a
corresponding
registration mark is included in the negative.
(172) Another aspect ("aspect fifty six") relates to the method of aspect
fifty four,
further comprising disposing a radiation curable material between the negative
and
the generic optical matrix, the radiation curable material having an index of
refraction, when cured, that is the same as or similar to an index of
refraction of the
generic optical matrix.
67
CA 02927043 2016-03-09
Attorney Docket No. 33449-445650
(173) Another aspect ("aspect fifty seven") relates to the method of aspect
fifty six,
wherein obliterating the individual ones of the pixels and/or sub-pixels
includes
exposing the physical substrate embodying the negative to radiation such that
the
radiation passes through portions of the physical substrate where the negative
is not
located and exposes corresponding portions of the radiation curable material,
the
portions of the radiation curable material becoming cured responsive to being
exposed to the radiation, the cured radiation curable material obliterating
collocated
pixels and/or sub-pixels.
(174) Another aspect ("aspect fifty eight") relates to the method of aspect
fifty four,
wherein the negative is in an electronic format, the negative being modifiable
such
that successively generated optical images are variable in that individual
optical
images are different from other optical images.
(175) Another aspect ("aspect fifty nine") relates to the method of aspect
fifty eight,
wherein obliterating the individual ones of the pixels and/or sub-pixels
includes
printing ink or toner directly on the generic optical matrix such that pixels
and/or sub-
pixels that are printed over become obliterated.
(176) Another aspect ("aspect sixty") relates to the method of aspect fifty
four,
further comprising overprinting remaining pixels and/or sub-pixels with a
material
having a first refractive index, the first refractive index being higher than
a refractive
index of an optical structure of a given remaining pixel and/or sub-pixel.
(177) Another aspect ("aspect sixty one") relates to the method of aspect
sixty,
wherein the material is configured to act as a color filter, the color filter
being
configured to increase an angle of observation of the optical image.
(178) One aspect ("aspect sixty two") relates to an optical image that is
instantly
68
CA 02927043 2016-03-09
. .
Attorney Docket No. 33449-445650
produced and different from other optical images produced in the same printing
cycle, the optical image being prepared by a process comprising the steps of:
obtaining a pre-prepared physical generic optical matrix having an arrayed
motif of
static physical pixels corresponding to color and sub-pixels corresponding to
non-
color effects, the pixels including first pixels corresponding to a first
color and second
pixels corresponding to a second color, the sub-pixels including first sub-
pixels
corresponding to a first non-color effect and second sub-pixels corresponding
to a
second non-color effect, wherein a given non-color effect corresponds to one
or
more of viewing angle, viewing distance, polarization, intensity, scattering,
refractive
index, or birefringence; and obliterating during a single printing cycle
individual ones
of the pixels and/or sub-pixels of the generic optical matrix according to a
negative
while preserving remaining pixels and/or sub-pixels, the remaining pixels
and/or sub-
pixels forming the optical image corresponding to a base image, the optical
image
being colored based on the remaining pixels, the optical image exhibiting non-
color
effects corresponding to the remaining sub-pixels, wherein obliterating a
given pixel
and/or sub-pixel includes one or more of printing a pigment over the given
pixel
and/or sub-pixel, curing a radiation-curable material over the given pixel
and/or sub-
pixel, chemical etching away the given pixel and/or sub-pixel, or laser
ablating the
given pixel and/or sub-pixel.
(179) One aspect ("aspect sixty three") relates to a generic optical matrix
having
pixels corresponding to color and sub-pixels corresponding to non-color
effects, the
generic optical matrix comprising: a substrate; and an array of pixels
disposed on the
substrate, the array comprising first pixels corresponding to a first color
and second
pixels corresponding to a second color, the first color being different from
the second
color, the first pixels and second pixels being arranged in a motif such that
individual
69
CA 02927043 2016-03-09
Attorney Docket No 33449-445650
ones of the first pixels are positioned adjacent to individual ones of the
second
pixels; wherein individual ones of the pixels comprise sub-pixels, a given
pixel
comprising a first sub-pixel and a second sub-pixel, the first sub-pixel
comprising a
first optical structure configured such that light reflected or transmitted by
the optical
structure of the first sub-pixel is directed toward a left eye of a person
observing the
generic optical matrix from the first viewing distance, the second sub-pixel
comprising a second optical structure configured such that light reflected or
transmitted by the optical structure of the second sub-pixel is directed
toward a right
eye of the person observing the generic optical matrix from the first viewing
distance,
the light reflected or transmitted by the first sub-pixel and the second sub-
pixel being
the corresponding color of the given pixel.
(180) Another aspect ("aspect sixty four") relates to the generic optical
matrix of
aspect sixty three, wherein the substrate includes one or more of photoresist,
nickel
plate, polyester film, silicon, polycarbonate film, or ultraviolet substrate.
(181) Another aspect ("aspect sixty five") relates to the generic optical
matrix of
aspect sixty three, wherein: the array further comprises third pixels
corresponding to
a third color; the third color is different from the first color and the
second color; and
the third pixels are arranged in the motif such that individual ones of the
third pixels
are positioned adjacent to individual ones of the first pixels and individual
ones of the
second pixels.
(182) Another aspect ("aspect sixty six") relates to the generic optical
matrix of
aspect sixty five, wherein: the array further comprises fourth pixels
corresponding to
a fourth color; the fourth color is different from the first color, the second
color, and
the third color; and the fourth pixels are arranged in the motif such that
individual
ones of the fourth pixels are positioned adjacent to individual ones of the
first pixels,
CA 02927043 2016-03-09
,
Attorney Docket No. 33449-445650
individual ones of the second pixels, and individual ones of the third pixels.
(183) Another aspect ("aspect sixty seven") relates to the generic optical
matrix of
aspect sixty three, wherein the given pixel comprises a third sub-pixel and a
fourth
sub-pixel, the third subpixel comprising a third optical structure configured
such that
light reflected or transmitted by the third optical structure of the third sub-
pixel is
directed toward a left eye of a person observing the generic optical matrix
from a
second viewing distance, the fourth sub-pixel comprising a fourth optical
structure
configured such that light reflected or transmitted by the fourth optical
structure of the
fourth sub-pixel is directed toward a right eye of the person observing the
generic
optical matrix from the second viewing distance, the light reflected or
transmitted by
the third sub-pixel and the fourth sub-pixel being the corresponding color of
the given
pixel.
(184) Another aspect ("aspect sixty eight") relates to the generic optical
matrix of
aspect sixty three, wherein a given optical structure includes one or more of
a
grating, a hologram, a kinegram, a Fresnel lens, a diffractive optically
variable image
device, a pixelgram, a holographic stereogram, a diffraction identification
device, a
dielectric structure, a volume hologram, an interference security image
structure, a
computer-generated hologram, or an electron-beam grating.
(185) Another aspect ("aspect sixty nine") relates to the generic optical
matrix of
aspect sixty three, wherein the array of pixels is arranged as one of a square
lattice,
a hexagonal lattice, triangular lattice, rectangular lattice, a random
arrangement, or a
pseudorandom arrangement.
(186) Another aspect ("aspect seventy") relates to the generic optical matrix
of
aspect sixty three, wherein individual ones of the pixels are shaped as a
circle, a
71
CA 02927043 2016-03-09
,
Attorney Docket No. 33449-445650
square, a rectangle, a line, an oval, a rounded square, or dots.
(187) Another aspect ("aspect seventy one") relates to the generic optical
matrix of
aspect sixty three, wherein the optical matrix covers an area with one linear
dimension being in the range of 0.01 microns to 90 inches.
(188) Another aspect ("aspect seventy two") relates to the generic optical
matrix of
aspect sixty three, wherein the array of pixels has a resolution in the range
of one
pixel per inch to 500,000 pixels per inch.
(189) One aspect ("aspect seventy three") relates to a generic optical matrix
having
pixels corresponding to color and sub-pixels corresponding to non-color
effects, the
generic optical matrix comprising: a substrate; and an array of pixels
disposed on the
substrate, the array comprising first pixels corresponding to a first color
and second
pixels corresponding to a second color, the first color being different from
the second
color, the first pixels and second pixels being arranged in a motif such that
individual
ones of the first pixels are positioned adjacent to individual ones of the
second
pixels; wherein individual ones of the pixels comprise sub-pixels, a given
pixel
comprising a first sub-pixel and a second sub-pixel, the first sub-pixel
comprising a
first optical structure configured such that light reflected or transmitted by
the optical
structure of the first sub-pixel has a first polarization, the second sub-
pixel
comprising a second optical structure configured such that light reflected or
transmitted by the optical structure of the second sub-pixel has a second
polarization, the first polarization being different from the second
polarization, the
light reflected or transmitted by the first sub-pixel and the second sub-pixel
being the
corresponding color of the given pixel.
(190) Another aspect ("aspect seventy four") relates to the generic optical
matrix of
72
CA 02927043 2016-03-09
Attorney Docket No. 33449-445650
aspect seventy three, wherein the substrate includes one or more of
photoresist,
nickel plate, polyester film, silicon, polycarbonate film, or ultraviolet
substrate.
(191) Another aspect ("aspect seventy five") relates to the generic optical
matrix of
aspect seventy three, wherein: the array further comprises third pixels
corresponding
to a third color; the third color is different from the first color and the
second color;
and the third pixels are arranged in the motif such that individual ones of
the third
pixels are positioned adjacent to individual ones of the first pixels and
individual ones
of the second pixels.
(192) Another aspect ("aspect seventy six") relates to the generic optical
matrix of
aspect seventy five, wherein: the array further comprises fourth pixels
corresponding
to a fourth color; the fourth color is different from the first color, the
second color, and
the third color; and the fourth pixels are arranged in the motif such that
individual
ones of the fourth pixels are positioned adjacent to individual ones of the
first pixels,
individual ones of the second pixels, and individual ones of the third pixels.
(193) Another aspect ("aspect seventy seven") relates to the generic optical
matrix
of aspect seventy three, wherein a given optical structure includes one or
more of a
grating, a hologram, a kinegram, a Fresnel lens, a diffractive optically
variable image
device, a pixelgram, a holographic stereogram, a diffraction identification
device, a
dielectric structure, a volume hologram, an interference security image
structure, a
computer-generated hologram, or an electron-beam grating.
(194) Another aspect ("aspect seventy eight") relates to the generic optical
matrix of
aspect seventy three, wherein one or more of: the array of pixels is arranged
as one
of a square lattice, a hexagonal lattice, triangular lattice, rectangular
lattice, a
random arrangement, or a pseudorandom arrangement; individual ones of the
pixels
73
CA 02927043 2016-03-09
Attorney Docket No 33449-445650
are shaped as a circle, a square, a rectangle, a line, an oval, a rounded
square, or
dots; the optical matrix covers an area with one linear dimension being in the
range
of 0.01 microns to 90 inches; or the array of pixels has a resolution in the
range of
one pixel per inch to 500,000 pixels per inch.
(195) One aspect ("aspect seventy nine") relates to a method for fabricating a
generic optical matrix having pixels corresponding to color and sub-pixels
corresponding to non-color effects, the method comprising: obtaining a
substrate;
defining an array of pixels disposed on the substrate, the array comprising
first pixels
corresponding to a first color and second pixels corresponding to a second
color, the
first color being different from the second color, the first pixels and second
pixels
being arranged in a motif such that individual ones of the first pixels are
positioned
adjacent to individual ones of the second pixels; and forming sub-pixels
within
individual ones of the pixels, a given pixel comprising a first sub-pixel and
a second
sub-pixel, the first sub-pixel comprising a first optical structure configured
such that
light reflected or transmitted by the optical structure of the first sub-pixel
is directed
toward a left eye of a person observing the generic optical matrix from the
first
viewing distance, the second sub-pixel comprising a second optical structure
configured such that light reflected or transmitted by the optical structure
of the
second sub-pixel is directed toward a right eye of the person observing the
generic
optical matrix from the first viewing distance, the light reflected or
transmitted by the
first sub-pixel and the second sub-pixel being the corresponding color of the
given
pixel.
(196) Another aspect ("aspect eighty") relates to the method of aspect seventy
nine,
wherein: the array further comprises third pixels corresponding to a third
color; the
third color is different from the first color and the second color; and the
third pixels
74
CA 02927043 2016-03-09
Attorney Docket No 33449-445650
are arranged in the motif such that individual ones of the third pixels are
positioned
adjacent to individual ones of the first pixels and individual ones of the
second pixels.
(197) Another aspect ("aspect eighty one") relates to the method of aspect
seventy
nine, wherein: the given pixel comprises a third sub-pixel and a fourth sub-
pixel; the
third sub-pixel comprises a third optical structure configured such that light
reflected
or transmitted by the third optical structure is directed toward a left eye of
a person
observing the generic optical matrix from a second viewing distance; the
fourth sub-
pixel comprises a fourth optical structure configured such that light
reflected or
transmitted by the fourth optical structure is directed toward a right eye of
a person
observing the generic optical matrix from the second viewing distance; and the
light
reflected or transmitted by the third sub-pixel and the fourth sub-pixel being
the
corresponding color of the given pixel.
(198) One aspect ("aspect eighty two") relates to a method for fabricating a
generic
optical matrix having pixels corresponding to color and sub-pixels
corresponding to
non-color effects, the method comprising: obtaining a substrate; defining an
array of
pixels disposed on the substrate, the array comprising first pixels
corresponding to a
first color and second pixels corresponding to a second color, the first color
being
different from the second color, the first pixels and second pixels being
arranged in a
motif such that individual ones of the first pixels are positioned adjacent to
individual
ones of the second pixels; and forming sub-pixels within individual ones of
the pixels,
a given pixel comprising a first sub-pixel and a second sub-pixel, the first
sub-pixel
comprising a first optical structure configured such that light reflected or
transmitted
by the optical structure of the first sub-pixel has a first polarization, the
second sub-
pixel comprising a second optical structure configured such that light
reflected or
transmitted by the optical structure of the second sub-pixel has a second
CA 02927043 2016-03-09
Attorney Docket No. 33449-445650
polarization, the first polarization being different from the second
polarization, the
light reflected or transmitted by the first sub-pixel and the second sub-pixel
being the
corresponding color of the given pixel.
(199) One aspect ("aspect eighty three") relates to a system configured for
fabricating variable digital optical images using generic optical matrices,
the system
comprising; an image negative component configured to retain a negative
corresponding to a base image, the negative being based on the base image and
a
geometry associated with a generic optical matrix, the generic optical matrix
having
pixels corresponding to color and sub-pixels corresponding to non-color
effects. the
pixels including first pixels corresponding to a first color and second pixels
corresponding to a second color. The sub-pixels including first sub-pixels
corresponding to a first non-color effect and second sub-pixels corresponding
to a
second non-color effect, the geometry indicating locations and colors of
pixels in the
generic optical matrix, the geometry further indicating locations and non-
color effects
of sub-pixels within the pixels; and an image generation component configured
to
obliterate individual ones of the pixels and/or sub-pixels of the generic
optical matrix
according to the negative while preserving remaining pixels and/or sub-pixels,
the
remaining pixels and/or sub-pixels forming an optical image corresponding to
the
base image, the optical image being colored based on the remaining pixels, the
optical image exhibiting non-color effects corresponding to the remaining sub-
pixels;
wherein the negative is in an electronic format; and wherein the image
generation
component includes an apparatus configured to print ink or toner directly on
the
generic optical matrix such that pixels and/or sub-pixels that are printed
over become
obliterated.
76
CA 02927043 2016-03-09
Attorney Docket No. 33449-445650
(200) Another aspect ("aspect eighty four") relates to the system of aspect
eighty
three, wherein the optical image comprises one or more of a hologram, a stereo
image, a hologram, a stereo image, an optically variable device based image, a
diffractive optically variable image, a zero order device based image, a
blazed
diffraction structure based image, a first order device based image, a dot
matrix
image, a pixelgram image, a structural color structure based image, a
diffractive
identification device based image, an interference security image structure
based
image, a kinegram image, an excelgram image, a diffractive optical element
based
image, a photonic structure based image, a nanohole based image, a computer
generated hologram, an electron-beam generated optical structure, or an
interference patterns.
(201) Another aspect ("aspect eighty five") relates to the system of aspect
eighty
three, wherein the non-color effects of the remaining sub-pixels give rise to
one or
more optical effects observable when viewing the optical image, the one or
more
optical effects including one or more of a three-dimensional optical effect, a
two-
dimensional optical effect, a dynamic optical effect, a scattering effect, a
holographic
white effect, a lens effect, a Fresnel lens effect, a brightness modulation
effect, a
lithographic effect, a stereogram effect, a nanotext and/or microtext effect,
a hidden
image effect, a moire effect, a concealed animated pattern effect, a covert
laser
readable (CLR) effect, a multiple background effect, a pearlescent effect, a
true color
image effect, a guilloche effect, an animation effect, an achromatic Fresnel
effect, a
dynamic CLR image, a kinematic images, a full parallax effect, a scratch
holographic effect, a polarizing effect, a watermark effect, a metallic
effect, a binary
optical structure, or a Fresnel prism.
77
CA 02927043 2016-03-09
Attorney Docket No. 33449-445650
(202) Another aspect ("aspect eighty six") relates to the system of aspect
eighty
three, wherein individual ones of the remaining sub-pixels reflect light at a
specific
viewing angle with a color corresponding to that of the individual pixels
associated
with the remaining sub-pixels.
(203) Another aspect ("aspect eighty seven") relates to the system of aspect
eighty
three, wherein the physical substrate is a transparent film.
(204) Another aspect ("aspect eighty eight") relates to the system of aspect
eighty
three, further comprising an aligner component configured to align
registration of the
negative based on one or more registration marks associated with the generic
optical
matrix.
(205) Another aspect ("aspect eighty nine") relates to the system of aspect
eighty
three, wherein the ink or toner includes a radiation curable material, the
radiation
curable material having an index of refraction, when cured, that is the same
as or
similar to an index of refraction of the generic optical matrix.
(206) Another aspect ("aspect ninety") relates to the system of aspect eighty
nine,
wherein the radiation curable material is one or more of: a lacquer that is
cured when
exposed to ultraviolet light; transparent or translucent when cured; or
colored when
cured.
(207) Another aspect ("aspect ninety one") relates to the system of aspect
eighty
three, wherein individual obliterated pixels and/or sub-pixels are rendered
transparent, the obliterated pixels and/or sub-pixels rendered transparent
allowing a
substrate of the generic optical matrix to be visible at the obliterated
pixels and/or
sub-pixels rendered transparent.
78
CA 02927043 2016-03-09
Attorney Docket No. 33449-445650
(208) Another aspect ("aspect ninety two") relates to the system of aspect
eighty
three, wherein the image generation component is further configured to print
black
over individual ones of the obliterated pixels and/or sub-pixels.
(209) Another aspect ("aspect ninety three") relates to the system of aspect
eighty
three, wherein the image generation component is further configured to print
black at
various densities over individual ones of the remaining pixels and/or sub-
pixels to
affect a brightness of the individual ones of the remaining pixels and/or sub-
pixels.
(210) Another aspect ("aspect ninety four") relates to the system of aspect
eighty
three, wherein the negative is modifiable such that successively generated
optical
images are variable in that individual optical images are different from other
optical
images.
(211) Another aspect ("aspect ninety five") relates to the system of aspect
ninety
four, wherein the optical image and the successive optical images include a
variable
code that is different for different optical images, the variable codes
including one or
more of a linear barcode, a matrix barcode, an alphanumeric code, a graphical
code,
a 2D code, sequential barcodes, sequential numbers, an encrypted code, a
datamatrix code, a matrix 2D code, an Aztec code, or a maxi code.
(2/2) Another aspect ("aspect ninety six") relates to the system of aspect
ninety
four, wherein the optical image and the successive optical images include one
or
both of a variable overt security feature or a variable covert security
feature.
(213) One aspect ("aspect ninety seven") relates to a method for fabricating
variable
digital optical images using generic optical matrices, the method comprising:
retaining a negative corresponding to a base image, the negative being based
on the
base image and a geometry associated with a generic optical matrix, the
generic
79
CA 02927043 2016-03-09
Attorney Docket No. 33449-445650
optical matrix having pixels corresponding to color and sub-pixels
corresponding to
noncolor effects. the pixels including first pixels corresponding to a first
color and
second pixels corresponding to a second color, the sub-pixels including first
sub-
pixels corresponding to a first non-color effect and second sub-pixels
corresponding
to a second non-color effect, the geometry indicating locations and colors of
pixels in
the generic optical matrix, the geometry further indicating locations and non-
color
effects of sub-pixels within the pixels; and obliterating individual ones of
the pixels
and/or sub-pixels of the generic optical matrix according to the negative
while
preserving remaining pixels and/or sub-pixels, the remaining pixels and/or sub-
pixels
forming an optical image corresponding to the base image, the optical image
being
colored based on the remaining pixels, the optical image exhibiting non-color
effects
corresponding to the remaining sub-pixels; wherein the negative is in an
electronic
format, the negative being modifiable such that successively generated optical
images are variable in that individual optical images are different from other
optical
images; and wherein obliterating the individual ones of the pixels and/or sub-
pixels
includes printing ink or toner directly on the generic optical matrix such
that pixels
and/or subpixels that are printed over become obliterated.
(214) Another aspect ("aspect ninety eight") relates to the method of aspect
ninety
seven, further comprising aligning registration marks of the negative based on
one or
more registration marks associated with the generic optical matrix, wherein a
given
registration mark is included in the generic optical matrix.
(215) Another aspect ("aspect ninety nine") relates to the method of aspect
ninety
seven, wherein the ink or toner includes a radiation curable material between
the
negative and the generic optical matrix, the radiation curable material having
an
CA 02927043 2016-03-09
Attorney Docket No. 33449-445650
index of refraction, when cured, that is the same as or similar to an index of
refraction of the generic optical matrix.
(2/6) Another aspect ("aspect one hundred") relates to the method of aspect
ninety
seven, further comprising overprinting remaining pixels and/or sub-pixels with
a
material having a first refractive index, the first refractive index being
higher than a
refractive index of an optical structure of a given remaining pixel and/or sub-
pixel.
(217) Another aspect ("aspect one hundred one") relates to the method of
aspect
one hundred, wherein the material is configured to act as a color filter, the
color filter
being configured to increase an angle of observation of the optical image.
(218) One aspect ("aspect one hundred two") relates to an optical image
prepared
by a process comprising the steps of: obtaining a generic optical matrix
having pixels
corresponding to color and sub-pixels corresponding to non-color effects, the
pixels
including first pixels corresponding to a first color and second pixels
corresponding to
a second color, the sub-pixels including first sub-pixels corresponding to a
first non-
color effect and second sub-pixels corresponding to a second non-color effect;
and
obliterating individual ones of the pixels and/or sub-pixels of the generic
optical
matrix according to a negative while preserving remaining pixels and/or sub-
pixels,
the remaining pixels and/or sub-pixels forming the optical image corresponding
to a
base image, the optical image being colored based on the remaining pixels, the
optical image exhibiting non-color effects corresponding to the remaining sub-
pixels;
wherein the negative is in an electronic format, the negative being modifiable
such
that successively generated optical images are variable in that individual
optical=
images are different from other optical images; and wherein obliterating the
individual ones of the pixels and/or sub-pixels includes printing ink or toner
directly
81
CA 02927043 2016-03-09
74970-125
on the generic optical matrix such that pixels and/or subpixels that are
printed over
become obliterated.
(2/9) Although the present technology has been described in detail
for the
purpose of illustration based on what is currently considered to be the most
practical
and preferred implementations, it is to be understood that such detail is
solely for that
purpose and that the technology is not limited to the disclosed
implementations, but,
on the contrary, is intended to cover modifications and equivalent
arrangements that
are within the scope of the appended claims. For example, it is to be
understood that
the present technology contemplates that, to the extent possible, one or more
features of any implementation can be combined with one or more features of
any
other implementation.
82
