Optical security system
View Patent ↗A system and security card comprising a support substrate having a diffuse layer disposed thereon, the support substrate having a substantially uniform light transmitting characteristic, the lens layer having a predetermined pattern area formed thereon such that when light is transmitted through the support substrate and the diffuse layer a unique pattern is produced that can be read from the light passing there through.
1. A security card comprising:
a support substrate having a lens layer disposed thereon, said support substrate having a substantially uniform light transmitting characteristic, said lens layer having a predetermined pattern area formed thereon such that when light is transmitted through said support substrate and said lens layer a unique pattern is produced that can be read from the light passing there through wherein said lens layer comprises micro-lenses.
2. A system according to claim 1 wherein said support substrate comprises a transparent polymeric film.
3. A security card according to claim 1 wherein said micro-lenses are convex.
4. A security card according to claim 3 wherein said micro-lenses occur with average frequency between 110 and 1080 micro-lenses per mm.
5. A security card according to claim 4 wherein each of said micro-lenses have an average width in the range of about 2 to 20 microns in the x and y directions.
6. A security card according to claim 4 wherein each of said micro-lenses have an average width in the range of about 3 to 8 microns in the x and y directions.
7. A security card according to claim 1 wherein a dye is provided to said pattern.
8. A security card according to claim 1 wherein a reflective layer is provided on said micro-lenses.
9. A security card according to claim 1 wherein said micro-lens are made of a polymer.
10. A security card according to claim 1 wherein said support substrate comprises a transparent polymeric film.
11. A security card comprising:
a support substrate having a diffuse layer disposed thereon, said support substrate having a substantially uniform light transmitting characteristic, said diffuse layer having a predetermined pattern area formed thereon such that when light is transmitted through said support substrate and said diffuse layer a unique pattern is produced that can be read from the light passing there through, said diffuse layer comprises a plurality of micro voids each having a volume less than about 100 microns.
12. A security card according to claim 11 wherein said micro voids each comprise voids having it major to minor axis is between 2.0 and 0.5.
13. A security card according to claim 11 wherein said micro voids comprise between 2 and 60% by volume of said diffuse layer.
14. A security card according to claim 11 wherein said micro voids comprise between 30 and 50% by volume of said diffuse layer.
15. A method for forming a unique pattern on a security card having a support substrate a diffuse layer disposed over said support substrate, said support substrate having a substantially uniform light transmitting characteristic, comprising the steps of:
creating a unique pattern on said diffuse layer by modifying the index of refraction of said diffuse layer in said unique pattern, said modifying of said index of refraction is accomplished by the application of heat to said diffuse layer.
16. The method according to claim 15 wherein said application of heat is provided by a thermal print head.
17. The method according to claim 16 wherein said thermal print head also applies a dye to said unique pattern.
18. The method according to claim 15 wherein said modifying of said index of refraction is accomplished by the application of heat.
19. A system for controlling access to a user, said system comprising:
a database for maintaining a plurality of unique security patterns each unique security pattern associated with a designated security card, each security pattern having a designated permission;
a security card having support substrate having a diffuse layer disposed over said substrate, said substrate having a substantially uniform light transmissive characteristic, said diffuse layer being modified in accordance with one of sad associated unique security patterns, said security card is designed such that when light is transmitted through said substrate and said diffuse layer said associated unique security pattern can be read wherein said diffuse layer comprises micro-lenses;
a for reading said security card if an associated unique pattern is present; and
a computer system for taking said information read from said reader and comparing it with said information in said database to determined if the read associated unique pattern read will be allowed access.
20. A system according to claim 19 wherein a dye is provided to said unique security pattern.
21. A system according to claim 19 further comprising a printer for creating said security card, said printer having means for creating said unique security pattern on said diffuse layer.
22. A system according to claim 21 wherein said particular wave length light comprises infra red.
23. A system according to claim 21 wherein said micro-lenses are convex.
24. A system according to claim 21 wherein said micro-lenses occur with average frequency between 110 and 1080 micro-lenses per mm.
25. A security card according to claim 21 wherein each of said micro-lenses have an average width in the range of about 2 to 20 microns in the x and y directions.
26. A system according to claim 21 wherein each of said micro-lenses have an average width in the range of about 3 to 8 microns in the x and y directions.
27. A system according to claim 21 wherein a reflective material is provided on said micro-lenses.
28. A system according to claim 21 wherein said micro-lens are made of a polymer.
29. A system according to claim 19 wherein said security card is designed to be read with a particular wave length light.
30. A security card comprising:
a support substrate having a lens layer disposed thereon, said support substrate having a substantially uniform light transmitting characteristic, said lens layer having a predetermined pattern area formed thereon such that when light is transmitted through said support substrate and said lens layer a unique pattern is produced that can be read from the light passing there through wherein said lens layer comprises micro-lenses, wherein said micro-lenses occur with average frequency between 110 and 1080 micro-lenses per mm.
31. A system for controlling access to a user, said system comprising:
a database for maintaining a plurality of unique security patterns each unique security pattern associated with a designated security card, each security pattern having a designated permission;
a security card having support substrate having a diffuse layer disposed over said substrate, said substrate having a substantially uniform light transmissive characteristic, said diffuse layer being modified in accordance with one of sad associated unique security patterns, said security card is designed such that when light is transmitted through said substrate and said diffuse layer said associated unique security pattern can be read wherein said diffuse layer comprises micro-lenses;
a for reading said security card if an associated unique pattern is present; and
a computer system for taking said information read from said reader and comparing it with said information in said database to determined if the read associated unique pattern read will be allowed access wherein said designated permission for a security card comprises authorized access for a limited period of time.
32. A system for controlling access to a user, said system comprising:
a database for maintaining a plurality of unique security patterns each unique security pattern associated with a designated security card, each security pattern having a designated permission;
a security card having support substrate having a diffuse layer disposed over said substrate, said substrate having a substantially uniform light transmissive characteristic, said diffuse layer being modified in accordance with one of sad associated unique security patterns, said security card is designed such that when light is transmitted through said substrate and said diffuse layer said associated unique security pattern can be read;
a for reading said security card if an associated unique pattern is present; and
a computer system for taking said information read from said reader and comparing it with said information in said database to determined if the read associated unique pattern read will be allowed access wherein said diffuse layer comprises micro voids each having a volume less than about 100 microns.
33. A security card according to claim 32 wherein said micro-voids comprise between 2 and 60% by volume of said diffuse layer.
34. A security card according to claim 32 wherein said micro-voids comprise between 30 and 50% by volume of said diffuse layer.
35. A security card according to claim 32 wherein said micro-voids each comprise voids having it major to minor axis is between 2.0 and 0.5.