 |
 |
14 Oct 2002
The pick of this week's hottest patent applications in the world of photonics.
• Title: Invisible laser labeling for use as security feature for plastic cards
Applicant: Orga Kartensysteme GmbH, Germany
International application number:WO 02/078965
The contents of a person's wallet may soon be better protected against forgery, thanks to a laser-based security system for labeling plastic cards. The idea, being patented by Orga Kartensysteme of Paderborn, Germany uses either a near-infrared (NIR) or ultraviolet (UV) laser to inscribe a security mark on a region of the card covered with a special coating. Although the security feature is invisible to the naked eye, it may be read by a detector that operates in the NIR or UV.
• Title:Self alignment 3D display
Applicant: Dimensional Developments APS, Denmark
International application number:WO 02/080579
A Danish firm is attempting to patent an auto-stereoscopic (3D) display that makes use of a pair of orthogonally-polarized images and an optically addressable spatial light modulator (OASLM). The polarized images are fed to the viewer's left and right eyes to create the illusion of depth. The OASLM is used to control the polarization state of a series of input light signals and shift them if required between horizontal and vertical states. The switching is triggered by infrared radiation from an illumination system.
• Title: Europium compounds and ink compositions containing the same
Applicant: Nippon Kayaku, Japan
International application number:WO 02/079201
The Japanese chemical firm Nippon Kayaku has developed an invisible ink that emits red light when illuminated in the ultraviolet. The inks are based on europium compounds and are said to offer excellent stability and safety. Applications may include the production of security markings.
• Title: Breast carcinoma detector
Applicant: Hamamatsu Photonics, Japan
International application number:WO 02/078547
Hamamatsu, the Japanese developer of optoelectronic components and imaging equipment, has designed a system for detecting breast cancer. The system works by squashing the breast and then illuminating it from the side with light of a specific wavelength. A detector, positioned in front of the patient, then images scattered light.
Author
Oliver Graydon is editor of Optics.org and Opto & Laser Europe magazine.
 |  |  |  |  |  |  |
| © 2024 SPIE Europe |
|
