Diffractive optical variable image including barcode

Abstract

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 . An optically variable device, comprising: 
 a first bar code, wherein the first bar code is rendered in the optically variable device based on a second bar code,    wherein the second bar code is a three-dimensional bar code including a plurality of bars each having a front portion, a rear portion, and sidewalls formed therebetween, wherein the distance between the front portion and rear portion of each bar of the second bar code is less than the height and width of the front portion of the respective bar of the second bar code.    
   
   
       2 . The optically variable device according to  claim 1 , wherein the distance between the front portion and rear portion of each bar of the second bar code is less than half of the width of the front portion of the respective bar of the second bar code.  
   
   
       3 . The optically variable device according to  claim 1 , wherein the optically variable device is contained within a carrier, and 
 wherein the first bar code comprises information associated with an object to which the carrier attaches.    
   
   
       4 . The optically variable device according to  claim 3 , wherein the information encodes a global trade identification number.  
   
   
       5 . An optically variable device, comprising: 
 a first bar code, wherein the first bar code is rendered in the optically variable device based on a second bar code;    wherein the second bar code is a three-dimensional bar code including a plurality of bars each having a front portion, a rear portion, and sidewalls formed therebetween; and    wherein the front portion of each bar of the second 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.    
   
   
       6 . The optically variable device according to  claim 5 , wherein the sidewalls of each bar of the second bar code are tapered.  
   
   
       7 . The optically variable device according to  claim 5 , wherein the optically variable device is contained within a carrier, and 
 wherein the first bar code comprises information associated with an object to which the carrier attaches.    
   
   
       8 . The optically variable device according to  claim 7 , wherein the information comprises a global trade identification number.  
   
   
       9 . A machine readable symbol comprising: 
 a first portion and a second portion;    wherein the first portion of the machine readable symbol is rendered in an optically variable device, wherein the optically variable device is contained within a carrier associated with a substrate;    wherein the second portion of the machine readable symbol 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.    
   
   
       10 . The machine readable symbol of  claim 9 , wherein the first and second portions include bar codes.  
   
   
       11 . The machine readable symbol according to  claim 10 , wherein the second portion encodes information that supplements information encoded in the first portion.  
   
   
       12 . The machine readable symbol according to  claim 10 , wherein the first and second portions include linear bar codes.  
   
   
       13 . The machine readable symbol according to  claim 10 , wherein the first portion includes a linear bar code and the second portion includes a two dimensional bar code.  
   
   
       14 . A method of generating a machine readable symbol, comprising: 
 providing a first portion of the machine readable symbol in an optically variable device that is included in a carrier;    associating the carrier 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.    
   
   
       15 . The method according to  claim 14 , wherein the first and second portions include bar codes.  
   
   
       16 . The method according to  claim 14 , wherein the first and second portions include linear bar codes.  
   
   
       17 . The method according to  claim 14 , wherein the first portion includes a linear bar code and the second portion includes a two-dimensional bar code.  
   
   
       18 . The method according to  claim 14 , wherein the first portion encodes first information; and 
 wherein the second portion encodes second information that supplements the first information.    
   
   
       19 . The method according to  claim 14 , wherein the substrate is associated with a product.  
   
   
       20 . The method according to  claim 18 , comprising generating a counterfeit prevention means by encrypting the second information based on the first information.  
   
   
       21 . The method according to  claim 18 , 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.  
   
   
       22 . The method according to  claim 14 , wherein the carrier is affixed to the substrate; 
 wherein the second portion is provided adjacent to first portion so that a space is provided between the first and second portions, wherein the space reduces scanning errors associated with a scanner device for reading the machine readable symbol formed by the first and second portions.    
   
   
       23 . The method according to  claim 14 , wherein the first portion encodes data linking the first portion to the second portion.  
   
   
       24 . The method according to  claim 14 , wherein the first portion is undetectable when the optically variable device having the first portion is viewed using light of a first wavelength range and at a first range of viewing angles; and 
 wherein the first machine readable symbol is detectable when the optically variable device having the first machine readable symbol is viewed using light of a second wavelength range and at a second range of viewing angles.    
   
   
       25 . The method according to  claim 14 , comprising affixing the carrier to a product.  
   
   
       26 . A method of manufacturing optically variable devices for facilitating the authentication of products, comprising: 
 generating a plurality of optically variable devices, each of which includes a distinct image from a set of unique images;    creating a plurality of carriers each of which includes one of the plurality of optically variable devices; and    associating each of the plurality of carriers with a distinct product from a set of products such that the authenticity of the set of products can be determined based on the number of products of the set associated with carriers that include optically variable devices that include non-unique images.    
   
   
       27 . The method according to  claim 26 , wherein generating a plurality of optically variable devices comprises recording the plurality of optically variable devices in an embossing plate; and 
 wherein the plurality of carriers are created using the embossing plate.    
   
   
       28 . The method according to  claim 26 , wherein the set of unique images includes a set of sequential images.  
   
   
       29 . The method according to  claim 28 , wherein the set of sequential images includes a set of sequential numbers.  
   
   
       30 . The method according to  claim 26 , wherein each image from the set of unique images includes a machine readable symbol.  
   
   
       31 . The method according to  claim 30 , wherein each image from the set of unique images includes a bar code.  
   
   
       32 . An optically variable device, comprising: 
 a first bar code, wherein the first bar code is rendered in the optically variable device based on a second bar code;    wherein the second bar code is a three-dimensional bar code including a plurality of bars each having a front portion, a rear portion, and sidewalls formed therebetween, wherein the sidewalls have a color not detectable by a barcode scanner.