Illuminated lens device for use in object authentication
An illuminated lens device for use in viewing authentication images is disclosed. The device includes a housing having a housing interior. The housing has a proximal end with a proximal aperture and an opposing distal end with a distal aperture. The lens device further includes a lens disposed at least partially within the housing interior. The lens is configured and positioned so that at least a portion of an authentication image is viewable through the proximal aperture when the housing is placed with the distal aperture aligned with and adjacent the at least a portion of the authentication image. The lens device also includes at least one light source disposed within the housing interior. The at least one light source is configured to illuminate the authentication image with light in a predetermined frequency range when the housing is placed with the distal aperture adjacent the authentication image.
1. An illuminating lens device for viewing an authentication image, the lens device comprising:
a housing having at least one wall defining a housing interior, the housing having a proximal end with a proximal aperture and an opposing distal end with a distal aperture;
a lens disposed at least partially within the housing interior, the lens being configured and positioned so that at least a portion of an authentication image is viewable through the proximal aperture when the housing is placed with the distal aperture aligned with and adjacent the at least a portion of the authentication image; and
at least one light source disposed within the housing interior, the at least one light source being configured to illuminate the authentication image with light in a predetermined frequency range when the housing is placed with the distal aperture adjacent the authentication image.
2. An illuminating lens device according to claim 1 wherein the lens is a lenticular lens disposed within the distal aperture, the lenticular lens having a lens frequency corresponding to an expected encoding frequency associated with the authentication image.
3. An illuminating lens device according to claim 1 wherein the lens is a magnifying lens mounted within the housing proximal to the at least one light source, the magnifying lens having a focal point external to the housing proximal to the proximal aperture.
4. An illuminating lens device according to claim 1 wherein the housing is configured for engagement by an image capture device whereby the image capture device can capture an image of the authentication image.
5. An illuminating lens device according to claim 4 wherein the image capture device is configured for capturing a digital image of the authentication image.
6. An illuminating lens device according to claim 1 , wherein the predetermined frequency range is selected based on the viewability of the authentication image when illuminated by light in the predetermined frequency range.
7. An illuminating lens device according to claim 1 wherein the predetermined frequency range is one of the set consisting of an ultraviolet light frequency and an infrared light frequency.
8. An illuminating lens device according to claim 1 wherein the predetermined frequency range is about 300 nm to about 450 nm.
9. An illuminating lens device according to claim 1 wherein the predetermined frequency range is about 370 nm to about 375 nm.
10. An illuminating lens device according to claim 1 wherein the at least one light source comprises one or more of the set consisting of an incandescent bulb, a fluorescent bulb, a light-emitting diode and a halogen bulb.
11. An illuminating lens device according to claim 1 further comprising:
a power source in electrical communication with the at least one light source.