Abstract: The invention relates to the field of printed security documents and, more particularly, to security documents and methods of making security documents bearing enhanced security features. The security documents may include identification documents or any other known documents of value. The security document includes a transparent window area with an ultraviolet blocking agent incorporated therein. Invisible ultraviolet fluorescent ink patterns are printed on respective opposite sides of the ultraviolet blocking agent within the region of the transparent window area. When either the face side or back side of the security document is illuminated with ultraviolet light, only the pattern printed proximate that side within the area of the transparent window becomes visible. When both face and back sides are simultaneously illuminated with ultraviolet light, the patterns printed on both sides of the ultraviolet blocking agent within the area of the transparent window become visible at the same time.

Abstract: Systems and methods for assisting in the determination of the authenticity of security documents based on known characteristics of similar reference security documents. The system and methods use digital processing to capture a digital image of the document being examined and they use a feature localization or detection technique to search for a specific feature in the document based on a stored image of a similar feature from a reference document. Once the feature on the subject document has been found, the digital image of the localized feature is transformed, by applying mathematical transforms or other image/mathematical operators, such that the result will have distinguishing characteristics that can be derived or analyzed. When the distinguishing characteristics have been analyzed, these are then compared to the stored distinguishing characteristics of similar features from reference documents.

Abstract: The invention relates to the field of printed security documents and, more particularly, to security documents and methods of making security documents bearing enhanced security features. The security documents may include identification documents or any other known documents of value. The security document includes a transparent window area with an ultraviolet blocking agent incorporated therein. Invisible ultraviolet fluorescent ink patterns are printed on respective opposite sides of the ultraviolet blocking agent within the region of the transparent window area. When either the face side or back side of the security document is illuminated with ultraviolet light, only the pattern printed proximate that side within the area of the transparent window becomes visible. When both face and back sides are simultaneously illuminated with ultraviolet light, the patterns printed on both sides of the ultraviolet blocking agent within the area of the transparent window become visible at the same time.

Abstract: An identification document and method of making such a document includes a transparent window which incorporates micro printing and lenticular technology to record document bearer specific information on a microscopic and macroscopic level. A window is punched into an opaque layer, respective laser engravable synthetic transparent layers are laminated to opposing sides of the opaque layer, and respective protective synthetic transparent layers are laminated to the outer sides of the two laser engravable synthetic transparent layers. A lenticular array is then formed on the front of the window in the associated protective synthetic transparent layer and then document bearer specific information is micro printed using a laser inscribing into the rear of the window in the laser engravable synthetic transparent layers.

Abstract: An image encoding/decoding system and method for producing a computer-generated security device which can be printed onto a document, such as a passport, to secure the document against data alteration. Deflection encoding means comprises means for applying a selected software lens to a source image and producing a deflected image. Encryption encoding means comprises means for applying an encryption function to the deflected image or a source image and producing an encrypted image. Overlaying means is provided for overlaying the deflected and encrypted images and producing therefrom the security device image. The deflected image may be detected from the security device image both by means of a manual lenticular lens corresponding to the software lens applied to a printing of the security image and by means of computer decoding processing applying the software lens.

Abstract: Methods, articles, and systems related to the verification and association of an identity of a specific person. A constellation or grouping of marks derived from physical characteristics of the specific person is printed on an article of manufacture. The constellation or groups of marks is derived from the person's characteristic facial features, fingerprint or eye. The constellation or grouping of marks may be overlaid onto the persons photograph on an identity card. Multiple groupings, with each grouping being derived from a different characteristic, may be overlaid over one another with different wavelengths of light being required to illuminate specific groupings. To verify the person's identity, a scan of the person's relevant characteristics, such as his fingerprint or an iris scan, is performed and the results are compared to the relevant constellation or grouping of marks printed on the article of manufacture.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided, first for converting a colour image to a set of monochrome or, preferably, grayscale image components and then for producing a reconstructed colour image from such set of monochrome or grayscale image components assumed to derive from an original colour image. Preferably, the image components are Red, Green and Blue grayscale image components, such that each is associated with a different colour plane of the original colour image. The original colour image is separated into the image components by means of a colour plane separator component which extracts the independent colour plane images (Red, Green and Blue). Advantageously, the grayscale image components derived from the original image may be stored, printed and otherwise processed on an individual basis while still preserving the collective information needed to reproduce the original image.

Abstract: A security-printing device comprising: (i) a substrate; (ii) a toner image adhered to said substrate; and, (iii) a layer of an optically variable material adhered solely to said toner image, whereby said optically variable material is selected to provide a distinct visual appearance and is not readily reproducible or readily available in the general market-place.

Abstract: A security device comprising a substrate having applied thereto an array of characters, the characters being of a sufficiently small size as to appear uniform when ordinarily viewed but individually identifiable when viewed with the aid of appropriate magnification means, whereby group(s) of the characters are phase-shifted relative to the others in such a manner as to collectively define an image, the image being relatively indiscernible when the device is ordinarily viewed but discernible when viewed with the aid of a finding screen.

Abstract: The invention relates to security means for securing the sequential order of the pages of a book such as a passport, or other such security document, by enabling the convenient detection of any removed pages through a visual inspection of the book. Specifically, the invention provides a means of marking the unbound edges of the pages of a book whereby any subsequently missing page(s) may be detected upon a visual review of the unbound side of the book. The tamper-proof comprises a plurality of pages, a spine at a first side of the pages and a visually detectable marking on each one of successive ones of the pages at the outer edge of the side which is opposite the first side. The markings collectively depict a visual image across the outer edges of the opposite sides of the pages such that the absence of any one of the successive pages is identifiable upon viewing the image. Preferably, the markings are printed by means of invisible fluorescent ink.

Abstract: An imprint of inked intaglio pattern elements such as lines on a document of value or the like, including background portions and readily recognizable image portions each formed by pattern elements of the imprint. The pattern elements forming the image portions differ in orientation or depth from pattern elements forming the background portion to provide variation in contrast between image and background with change in angle of view of the document, the pattern elements being so arranged that the image blends visually with the background from one angle of view but appears as a readily recognizable symbol in clear contrast to the background from another angle of view.