Diffractive optical variable image including barcode
An optically variable device (OVD) is provided that includes a barcode rendered from a three-dimensional barcode. To increase the readability of the barcode rendered in the OVD, the bars of the three-dimensional barcode may have tapered sidewalls and depths that are small compared to their heights and widths. The barcode may be rendered in the OVD such that it is viewable only at certain angles or using certain wavelengths of light. Also provided is a barcode of multiple portions where a portion is rendered in an OVD and another portion is otherwise provided (e.g., printed). Such a barcode may have portions that are readable as independent barcodes and are also readable together as a single, compound barcode. Also provided is a method where a plurality of OVDs with unique images are associated with products, e.g., packaged together, so that receipt of a package of products with non-unique images indicates counterfeiting.
1. A composite bar code, comprising:
a first portion of the composite bar code formed as part of a hologram; and
a second portion of the composite bar code formed not as a hologram, wherein the first and second portions of the composite bar code are adjacent so that the first and second portions can be read as a single machine readable bar code,
wherein the first portion of the composite bar code is a three-dimensional bar code including a plurality of bars each having a front portion, a rear portion, and sidewalls formed there between; and
wherein the front portion of each bar of the first portion of the composite bar code has a first area and the rear portion of the respective bar has a second area smaller than the first area of the respective bar.
2. The composite bar code according to claim 1 , wherein the hologram comprises a multiple plane hologram.
3. The composite bar code according to claim 2 , wherein the multiple plane hologram comprises a two-dimensional hologram.
4. The composite bar code according to claim 2 , wherein the multiple plane hologram comprises a three-dimensional hologram.
5. The composite bar code according to claim 1 , wherein second portion of the composite bar code is formed by at least one of printing and etching.
6. The composite bar code according to claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of the single machine readable bar code encodes a global trade identification number.
7. The composite bar code according to claim 1 , wherein the sidewalls of each bar of the first portion of the composite bar code are tapered.
8. A composite bar code as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the sidewalls have a color not detectable by a barcode scanner.
9. A machine readable symbol comprising:
adjacent first and second portions;
wherein the first portion of the machine readable symbol is rendered in a hologram associated with a substrate;
wherein the second portion of the machine readable symbol is not rendered in a hologram and is provided on a surface associated with the substrate; and
wherein the first and second portions can be read as a single machine readable symbol,
wherein the first portion of the machine readable symbol is a three-dimensional bar code including a plurality of bars each having a front portion, a rear portion, and sidewalls formed there between; and
wherein the front portion of each bar of the first portion of the machine readable symbol has a first area and the rear portion of the respective bar has a second area smaller than the first area of the respective bar.
10. The machine readable symbol according to claim 9 , wherein the second portion encodes information that supplements information encoded in the first portion.
11. A method of generating a machine readable symbol, comprising:
providing a first portion of the machine readable symbol in a hologram associated with a substrate; and
providing a second portion of the machine readable symbol on a surface associated with the substrate so that the first and second portions can be read as a single machine readable symbol, wherein the second portion of the machine readable symbol is not a hologram and is adjacent the first portion,
wherein the first portion of the machine readable symbol is a three-dimensional bar code including a plurality of bars each having a front portion, a rear portion and sidewalls formed there between; and
wherein the front portion of each bar of the first portion of the machine readable symbol has a first area and the rear portion of the respective bar has a second area smaller than the first area of the respective bar.
12. The method according to claim 11 , wherein the first portion encodes first information; and
wherein the second portion encodes second information that supplements the first information.
13. The method according to claim 12 , comprising generating a counterfeit prevention means by encrypting the second information based on the first information.
14. The method according to claim 12 , comprising generating a counterfeit prevention means by assigning a unique number to the second portion, wherein the unique number is derived from the first information.
15. The method according to claim 11 , wherein the substrate is associated with a product.
16. The method according to claim 11 , wherein a space is provided between the first and second portions, wherein the space reduces scanning errors associated wit a scanner device for reading the machine readable symbol formed by the first and second portions.
17. The method according to claim 11 , wherein the first portion encodes data linking the first portion to the second portion.
18. The method according to claim 11 , wherein the first portion is undetectable when using light of a first wavelength range; and
wherein the first portion is detectable when using light of a second wavelength.
19. The method according to claim 11 , comprising affixing the first portion to a product.