Abstract: An optical security element made of a refractive transparent or partially transparent optical material and comprising an optical assembly of a caustic layer having a light-redirecting surface with a relief pattern of given depth and a focal length fC and an adjacent lens element of focal length fL configured to redirect incident light received from a point-like light source through it and to form a projected image containing a caustic pattern directly on a retina of an observer. A marked object, as well as a method of visually authenticating an object, and use of optical security elements for authenticating or securing against counterfeiting are also disclosed.

Abstract: An optical security element made of a refractive transparent or partially transparent optical material and comprising an optical assembly of a caustic layer having a light-redirecting surface with a relief pattern of given depth and a focal length fC and an adjacent lens element of focal length fL configured to redirect incident light received from a point-like light source through it and to form a projected image containing a caustic pattern directly on a retina of an observer. A marked object, as well as a method of visually authenticating an object, and use of optical security elements for authenticating or securing against counterfeiting are also disclosed.

Abstract: In a load-bearing construction (1) having at least one load-bearing element (2), the load-bearing element (2) has at least one cavity (5) in which at least one rod (4) is disposed, the total cross-sectional area of all rods (4) each arranged in a cavity (5) being smaller than the cross-sectional area of this cavity (5), and the remaining volume of the cavity (5) being filled with a material (6). The rod (4) is displaceable along its length relative to the load-bearing element (2) when the load-bearing element (2) is deformed, the rod (4) being non-displaceably fixed at only one point relative to the load-bearing element (2) and being designed such that it dissipates energy upon the occurrence of a relative displacement with respect to the load-bearing element (2).

Abstract: In a load-bearing construction (1) having at least one load-bearing element (2), the load-bearing element (2) has at least one cavity (5) in which at least one rod (4) is disposed, the total cross-sectional area of all rods (4) each arranged in a cavity (5) being smaller than the cross-sectional area of this cavity (5), and the remaining volume of the cavity (5) being filled with a material (6). The rod (4) is displaceable along its length relative to the load-bearing element (2) when the load-bearing element (2) is deformed, the rod (4) being non-displaceably fixed at only one point relative to the load-bearing element (2) and being designed such that it dissipates energy upon the occurrence of a relative displacement with respect to the load-bearing element (2).

Abstract: The invention refers to a measurement probe for measuring magnetization data of at least one item (7), specifically a security document comprising at least one magnetic security material (M), said measurement probe comprising at least one core free magnetizing coil (3) characterized in that at least two magnetic field sensors (4s, 4c, 8s, 8c) are disposed at both ends inside said coil (3) at its both ends. The invention relates further to an authentication device comprising said measurement probe and to an authentication method carried out by means of said measurement probe and authentication device.

Abstract: A luminescent probe marking is excited with at least one excitation pulse of at least one excitation source. The probe intensity values of emission intensity from emission radiation of the luminescent probe marking are measured in response to the excitation pulse(s) at time intervals. A probe intensity-versus-time emission function is formed of the probe intensity values, and the probe intensity-versus-time emission function is compared with at least one reference intensity-versus-time emission function after the probe intensity-versus-time emission function and the reference intensity-versus-time emission function have been normalized.

Abstract: The invention refers to a measurement probe for measuring magnetization data of at least one item (7), specifically a security document comprising at least one magnetic security material (M), said measurement probe comprising at least one core free magnetizing coil (3) characterized in that at least two magnetic field sensors (4s, 4c, 8s, 8c) are disposed at both ends inside said coil (3) at its both ends. The invention relates further to an authentication device comprising said measurement probe and to an authentication method carried out by means of said measurement probe and authentication device.

Abstract: The invention refers to a method, device and security system, all for authenticating a marking (M-P), comprising the steps of: exciting said luminescent probe marking (M-P) with at least one excitation pulse (P) of at least one excitation source (3, 31-36), measuring probe intensity values (VP1-VPn) of emission intensity (I) from emission radiation (E) of said luminescent probe marking (M-P) in response to said at least one excitation pulse (P) at time intervals (t1-tn), forming a probe intensity-versus-time emission function of said probe intensity values (VP1-VPn), comparing said probe intensity-versus-time emission function with at least one reference intensity-versus-time emission function, said probe intensity-versus-time emission function and said reference intensity-versus-time emission function are normalized prior to comparison.

Abstract: The present invention relates to coating compositions, preferably printing inks for security applications comprising at least one organic resin, at least one pigment and optionally at least one organic solvent. Said pigment comprises glass ceramic composite particles, containing at least one crystalline particle embedded in a glass matrix. Said glass ceramic particles have a particle size in the range of between 0.1 &mgr;m to 50 &mgr;m. Preferably active ions selected from the group of the rare-earth elements are incorporated into the crystalline phase of the composite to provide the glass ceramics with luminescent up- and down-converting characteristics. Glass ceramic luminescent have excellent physical and chemical stability. The glass matrix permits as well the stabilization of the photophysically interesting halide host crystals which have low phonon energies. Such materials provide unusual excitation and emission properties.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an advanced product security system comprising at least one up-converting material as a security marking and at least one authenticating equipment, in particular a reader. The authenticating equipment comprises at least one first source of electromagnetic radiation of at least one first preselected wavelength and at least one second source of at least one second preselected wavelength which are different from each other. The radiation of the first and of the second wavelength are selected such as to cause the up-converting material upon combined radiation with said first and second wavelength to release an emission spectrum. The electromagnetic emission spectrum of said up-converting material comprises radiation of at least one wavelength which is specific for the return of at least one electron from an energy level to which the electron is raised by the combined radiation of at least said first and said second wavelength.

Abstract: The present invention relates to coating compositions, preferably printing inks for security applications comprising at least one organic resin, at least one pigment and optionally at least one organic solvent. Said pigment comprises glass ceramic composite particles, containing at least one crystalline particle embedded in a glass matrix. Said glass ceramic particles have a particle size in the range of between 0.1 &mgr;m to 50 &mgr;m. Preferably active ions selected from the group of the rare-earth elements are incorporated into the crystalline phase of the composite to provide the glass ceramics with luminescent up- and down- converting characteristics. Glass ceramic luminescent have excellent physical and chemical stability. The glass matrix permits as well the stabilisation of the photophysically interesting halide host crystals which have low phonon energies. Such materials provide unusual excitation and emission properties.