Abstract: An optically variable surface pattern is made available, having at least two partial areas with reflection elements, wherein the reflection elements of the first partial region on the one hand and the reflection elements of the second partial region on the other hand reflect impinging light in different reflection directions. The first partial region is so covered with a first glazing ink layer that a viewer, upon a change of the viewing angle at which the viewer views the optically variable surface pattern, sees the first partial region glow in a first color upon reaching a first viewing angle. The second partial region glows in a second color that is different from the first color upon reaching a second viewing angle.

Abstract: Into a plastic card (1) of polycarbonate layers (10; 11; 12) there is laminated a security thread (3) by applying pressure and temperature, the security thread itself having a carrier foil (5) of polycarbonate and a coating (6) that is borne by the carrier foil and conveys holographic information. The connection of the polycarbonate carrier foil (5) of the security thread with the polycarbonate layer (10; 11; 12) of the data carrier adjoining said carrier foil takes place without using an adhesive or primer.

Abstract: An optical system having a plane anisotropic retroreflector portion which specularly reflects radiation components in a first plane of incidence, but retroreflects radiation components in a second plane of incidence, a first imaging portion which produces on the retroreflector portion a line-shaped intermediate image of an object point in an object plane in a specified position relative to the system, the image extending along a line in the second plane of incidence, and a second imaging portion by means of which the line-shaped intermediate image is imaged into an image point.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus and a method for processing value documents. A value document is input to the input opening of an apparatus for value-document processing and transported using a transport system of the apparatus to an image sensor which senses a partial image of the value document. A contour of the front partial area is ascertained from the sensed partial image and checked. If the check of the contour of the front partial area yields a fault, the value document is rejected. Faulty or faultily transported value documents can thus be recognized and transported back to the input opening at a very early time.

Abstract: The invention concerns a printed valuable document with at least one authentication feature in the form of a luminescent substance based on a host lattice doped with at least one rare earth metal. The host lattice largely absorbs in the visible region of the spectrum, is excitable at least in parts of the visible region of the spectrum and transparent at least in partial areas of the IR spectral region. The luminescent substance is present in the volume of the valuable document in such a concentration that the characteristics of the valuable document just remain unimpaired. The rare earth metal concerned is thulium.