Patent ID: 6493014
Filing Date: 2002-12-10
Classification: B41J,B41M,B42D,G03H

Abstract:
An optical security printing system for on-demand printing of a selected shape onto the surface of a substrate, wherein the printed selected shape operates as an optical security device, comprising:a digital print engine for selectively generating heat to one or more of a plurality of individually heatable heating elements on a contact surface of the digital print engine the digital print engine selectively heating the heating elements to correspond to respective pixel locations in the selected shape, with the shape being varied between printings to provide a unique optical security feature; a thermal foil carrying an optical security layer on a carrier film, said thermal foil operatively positioned between the contact surface of the digital print engine and the surface of the substrate; a pressure mechanism for applying pressure between the contact surface of the digital print engine and the surface of the substrate; and a microprocessor operatively connected to the digital print engine and the pressure mechanism for selectively controlling the selection of the one or more of the heating elements by the digital print engine and the application of pressure by the pressure mechanism.