Abstract: A method for detecting and viewing invisible indicia includes illuminating the invisible indicia with radiation of a first wavelength with an illumination source; detecting emitted light from the invisible indicia at a second wavelength with a sensor array; eliminating reflected radiation at the first wavelength; focusing an image of the invisible indicia on the sensor array; displaying the image of the invisible indicia; spacing the sensor array at a fixed distance from the invisible indicia with a spacer; and adjusting sensitivity of the sensor array.

Abstract: An ink is disclosed that includes a solvent, a dye that fluoresces in the infrared region of the electromagnetic spectrum and a polyvinyl acetal binder. The weight ratio of the dye relative to the combined weight of the dye and binder is in a range of 0.001 to 0.025.

Abstract: A composition is disclosed that includes a dye that fluoresces in the infrared region of the electromagnetic spectrum and a polyvinyl acetal binder. The weight ratio of the dye relative to the combined weight of the dye and binder is in a range of 0.001 to 0.025.

Abstract: A printed article is disclosed including a substrate and printed data that is not visible to the unaided eye. The printed data includes a dye that fluoresces in the infrared region of the electromagnetic spectrum and a polyvinyl acetal binder. The weight ratio of the dye relative to the combined weight of the dye and binder is in a range of 0.001 to 0.025.

Abstract: An apparatus for detecting and viewing an invisible indicia includes an illumination source for illuminating the invisible indicia with radiation of a first wavelength; a sensor array for detecting emitted light from the invisible indicia at a second wavelength; a filter between the sensor and the invisible indicia for eliminating reflected radiation at the first wavelength; a lens for focusing an image of the invisible indicia on the sensor array; a video display for displaying the image of the invisible indicia; a spacer for spacing the sensor array at a fixed distance from the invisible indicia; and a gain control for adjusting sensitivity of the sensor array.

Abstract: A security marker material comprising emissive particles selected from at least two groups with different size distributions and the size distributions satisfy the formula: [(x?z)2/(Sx2+Sz2)]1/2>1 wherein x and z are the volume-weighted mean equivalent-spherical diameters of the two particle distributions and Sx and Sz are the standard deviations of the same two distributions.

Abstract: An inkjet printer includes a paper tray for holding print media; a pick roller for moving the print media through a paper transport path; and an encoder disk, which senses motion of the print media, disposed in the paper transport path and in direct contact with the print media as the print media passes through the paper transport path.

Abstract: A method for authenticating security markers includes preparing a security marker with at least two or more optically active compounds; applying the security marker to an article to be authenticated; illuminating the security marker with radiation; detecting the optical response of the security marker; and wherein the two or more optically active compounds have a complementary response to different wavelengths of the illuminating radiation.

Abstract: An apparatus for authenticating security markers includes a laser or LED for illuminating the security marker; a detector for detecting an optical response from the security marker; an element for changing a temperature of the laser or LED to vary the wavelength of radiation produced by the LED; a detector for detecting changes in the optical response from the security marker as the wavelength of the radiation changes; a microprocessor for comparing the optical response profile from the security marker as it varies with changes in wavelength to a reference profile; and authenticating the security marker if the optical response profile matches the reference profile.

Abstract: A method for authenticating security markers includes illuminating the security marker with a laser, detecting an optical response from the security marker, changing a temperature of the laser to vary the wavelength of radiation produced by the laser; detecting changes in the optical response from the security marker as the wavelength of the radiation changes, comparing the optical response profile from the security marker as it varies with changes in wavelength to a reference profile; and authenticating the security marker if the optical response profile matches the reference profile.

Abstract: An inkjet printer includes a printer carriage positioned on a first side of a platen and that moves across at least a portion of the platen; a light source positioned on a second side of the platen which second side is different from the first side; a sensor positioned on the printer carriage that detects an amount of light illuminated from the light source; an electronic device that receives data indicating the amount of light transmitted through a media patch with known characteristics; wherein the electronic device compares the amount of transmitted light to stored target values to determine a variation of the sensor response for forming a correction factor; wherein the electronic device uses the correction factor to calibrate at least a first signal of the inkjet printer.

Abstract: A method for determining a variance of a sensor in inkjet printers includes maintaining a printer carriage at a stationary position; illuminating a media patch of known characteristics with a light source that varies an intensity of the light between at least a first and second intensity, in which the second intensity is different from the first intensity; obtaining at least specular reflectance data from light reflected off the print media by measuring a signal from a photo-detector during the illumination; and comparing the specular data to stored values to determine a variation of the sensor response for forming a correction factor; and using the correction factor to calibrate at least a first signal of the inkjet printer.

Abstract: A method for determining a variance of a sensor in inkjet printers comprising maintaining a printer carriage at a stationary position; illuminating a media patch of known characteristics with a light source that varies an intensity of the light between at least a first and second intensity, in which the second intensity is different from the first intensity; obtaining an amount of light transmitted through the media patch by measuring a signal from a photo-detector during the illumination; and comparing the amount of received light to stored target values to determine a variation of the sensor response for forming a correction factor; and using the correction factor to calibrate at least a first signal of the inkjet printer.

Abstract: A method of eliminating background noise from a system for authenticating security markers includes capturing an image of a background of the security marker; illuminating the security marker; capturing a plurality of images of the optical response of the security marker; averaging the plurality of optical response images; smoothing the background image; and subtracting the smoothed background image from the average of the plurality of optical response images.

Abstract: An apparatus for eliminating background noise from a security marker authenticating system including a first sensor for capturing an image of a background of the security marker; a light source for illuminating the security marker; the first sensor or a second sensor or both captures a plurality images of the optical response of the security marker; a computer which averages the plurality of optical response images; the computer smoothes the background image; and the computer subtracts the smoothed background image from the average of the plurality of optical response images.

Abstract: A method to deactivate a security measure includes applying a first covert optically active security marker to a product or document; completing a transaction for the product or document; and applying a second optically active security marker to the product or document which indicates completion of the transaction.

Abstract: A method for authenticating security markers includes capturing an image of a region of interest on a product with a camera; storing image data in a two-dimensional array on a microprocessor; counting a number of pixels at or above a predetermined brightness level in the image data with the microprocessor to determine a first score; establishing an area within the image; counting a number of pixels within the area to determine a second score; calculating a ratio of the second score to the first score; and if the ratio is above a predetermined threshold the security marker is authenticated.

Abstract: A method for detecting authorized security markers includes capturing an image of a region of interest on a product with a camera; storing image data in a two-dimensional array on a microprocessor; counting a number of pixels at or above a predetermined brightness level in the image data with the microprocessor to determine a first score; eroding the image data; counting the pixels which remain at or above the predetermined brightness level after erosion to determine a second score; calculating a ratio of the second score to the first score; and producing a first authentication signal if the ratio meets a first predetermined criteria.

Abstract: A printing system includes a media input location for storing a recording medium prior to transport within the printing system for subsequent printing; a light source directed toward an extended region of the media input location; an array of photosensors restricted to only a substantially perpendicular movement relative to a plane of the media input location; and an optical path including a first optical path section from the light source to the extended region of the media input location and a second optical path section from the extended region of the media input location to the array of photosensors.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process of making a zinc-oxide-based thin film semiconductor, for use in a transistor, comprising thin film deposition onto a substrate comprising providing a plurality of gaseous materials comprising at least first, second, and third gaseous materials, wherein the first gaseous material is a zinc-containing volatile material and the second gaseous material is reactive therewith such that when one of the first or second gaseous materials are on the surface of the substrate the other of the first or second gaseous materials will react to deposit a layer of material on the substrate and wherein the third gaseous material is inert with respect to reacting with the first or second gaseous materials.