Abstract: Product counterfeiting is a major problem. It is estimated that about 10% of all goods sold are counterfeits!. In recent years counterfeiters have improved significantly the quality of their products as a good counterfeit can be sold at a much higher value than a poor one. It is very difficult for untrained, regular customers to tell the difference. Currently, there are no reliable means for a person to authenticate a product. Also, online purchases are very popular. The major mean for authentication are passwords—but they are ways to get the passwords of people to break in. Also, biometrics ID means like fingerprinting can be copied and faked.

Abstract: A multilayer data carrier having a substrate on which there is formed a security element having a metal layer, the element showing an optical effect from a viewing side. In the metal layer there are formed recesses that are not, or at best poorly, recognizable to the naked eye in daylight and form a marking. However, the presence of the marking is recognizable from a suitable viewing angle and upon suitable illumination. Preferably there is located under the metal layer a fluorescent layer which causes the marking (60) to become visible upon illumination by UV light.

Abstract: Technologies are generally described for obtaining consumer survey responses encoded on a reactive tag associated with an item. Prior to distributing a product to consumers, a manufacturer may affix a reactive tag to the item for gathering consumer feedback about the product. Consumer survey questions and responses may be encoded on the reactive tag, and the consumer may be able to remove a portion of the tag in order to select a consumer survey response. The reactive tag may be configured to react to the removal of a portion of the reactive tag by encoding data on the reactive tag for the consumer response and/or changing a physico-chemical state of the reactive tag for storing the consumer survey responses. When the consumer has finished with the product, the product may be received at a recycling facility, where a machine may scan the reactive tag to retrieve consumer survey responses.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of authenticating and/or identifying an article containing a chemical marking agent, which is substantially inseparably enclosed in a marker as a carrier and contains selected chemical elements and/or compounds in the form of marker elements, in concentrations based on a predetermined encryption code, which method comprises the steps of: i) qualitatively and/or quantitatively identifying the marker elements of the chemical marking agent, and ii) comparing the values identified in step (i) with the predetermined encryption code.

Abstract: Encoding information in a material using a material tracing system includes storing information to be encoded in the material, generating a number based on the information, determining an amount of at least one tracer to be incorporated into the material corresponding to the number, and incorporating the determined amount of the at least one tracer into the material. Decoding information encoded in the material includes measuring an amount of the at least one tracer, in some embodiments after tracer activation, determining a number corresponding to the measured at least one tracer, and decoding the number to obtain information associated with the material. A material tracing system is also provided.

Abstract: A decoding system has a decoding engine running on a mobile device. The decoding engine decodes signals produced from a read of a first party's financial transaction card. The decoding engine accepts and initializes incoming signals from a read of the first party's financial transaction card. A transaction engine runs on the mobile device and is coupled to the decoding engine. The transaction engine receives as its input decoded first party's financial transaction card information from the decoding engine. A user interaction engine is configured to utilize a touch screen of the mobile device. A first party or second party can input at least one of numbers, characters, and signatures by touching the touch screen.

Abstract: The printing apparatus includes a receiving unit which receives a print instruction about code information generated based on a file to be printed. The printing apparatus includes a transferring unit which transfers the file to be printed to a predetermined storage device when a size of the code information exceeds a threshold. The printing apparatus includes a printing unit which prints path information indicating a storage location of the transferred file to be printed as a list.

Abstract: A nuclear power station component is provided. The nuclear power station includes a metal structure having an external surface; at least one marking placed on the external surface and encoding information related to the component. The marking includes a plurality of luminescent nanoparticles, each provided to emit optical radiation having a certain emission wavelength when said luminescent nanoparticle is excited with optical radiation having a certain emission wavelength.

Abstract: Coding flake or film including at least two chiral liquid crystal polymer (CLCP) layers with a first CLCP layer that has a first detectable parameter and a second CLCP layer including a second detectable parameter; at least one additional layer including a third detectable parameter, the at least one additional layer comprising a material that is not a chiral liquid crystal polymer; and wherein at least the third detectable parameter is different from each of the first detectable parameter and the second detectable parameter.

Abstract: An automated banking machine operates responsive to data bearing records to cause financial transfers. The automated banking machine includes a card reader operative to read card data from user cards. The machine is operative to cause financial transfers responding at least in part to a determination that the read card data corresponds to at least one of an authorized user or an authorized financial account. The machine includes a display and a printer to produce records of financial transfers carried out with the machine. The machine includes a housing including a chest. The chest is supported on a depository safe. The safe includes a depository head that extends upward on the safe and in front of the chest.

Abstract: Multisource fusion of data is used on a handheld device to create a portable analytical verifier, including the ability to verify based on product wrapping or using a re-turned code to check the product or wrapping. Data words are extracted from authentication media by testing to see whether particular taggants are present, using spectroscopic analysis.

Abstract: In an image reading apparatus, an interference suppressing unit includes a closed-loop coil that forms a suppression area disposed in a propagation area where at least either one of the electromagnetic wave for power supply and the electromagnetic wave for transmission and reception of the ID information is propagated, and suppresses a magnetic-flux change based on the magnetic-flux change in the propagation area. At least one of an image pickup device and a carrier cable is disposed in the suppression area, and consequently, interference of the electromagnetic wave for power supply or the electromagnetic wave for transmission end reception of ID information that would otherwise propagate to a reading unit with the carrier cable thereof is suppressed. Thus, even if pickup image data of the RFID card and the ID information of the electronic tag are simultaneously obtained, the obtained pickup image data can be of high quality.

Abstract: The present invention allows setting information into a support (paper, cardboard, plastics, etc.) by printing process or different kinds of chromatic settings (like chemical reactions),which could be read and decoded in controlled and repetitive conditions, matching with a known code. The process makes it possible the production of a low cost and high security level data support, due to the impossibility of visual access to the information. At the time, the system presents strong barrier for going through the information by means of other technological resources (of optical nature, for example) due to the impossibility of knowing the chromatic parameters settings involved in the scanning procedure for each cluster, which can change from one bit to another one. At the same time, the physical access results also impossible because of the destruction of the support that would be done in the will of doing it.

Abstract: A secure identification card is created. The secure identification card includes a first identifying item of information. A first covert marker is applied to the secure identification card. The first covert marker is associated with the first identifying item of information such that the secure identification card is recognized as authentic only if the association between the first covert marker and the first identifying item of information is recognized. The association between the first covert marker and the first identifying item of information is stored at a site that can be used to monitor the use of the secure identification card at a plurality of locations.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a security element for securing data carriers, having a three-layer thin-film element (20) composed of a reflection layer (22), an absorber layer (26) and a dielectric spacing layer arranged between the reflection layer and the absorber layer (24). According to the present invention, the reflection layer (22), the absorber layer (26) and the dielectric spacing layer (24) are coordinated with each other in such a way that, for viewing from the absorber layer side (26) at all viewing angles (28, 28?) and in the entire visible spectral range, the thin-film element exhibits a very low reflection and appears black.

Abstract: A label including a label body having an upper surface and a bottom surface and a light-transmissive portion and an opaque portion is disclosed. The label includes an adhesive disposed on at least a portion of the bottom surface for affixing the label body to a portion of a container. An excitation-activatable material arranged to contain machine readable information is disposed on at least a portion of the upper surface of the light-transmissive portion of the label body. The machine readable information is undetected by a detector in ambient light, and detectable by the detector upon application of an excitation wavelength to the excitation-activatable material.

Abstract: Tagging apparatus associated with applying and reading a tag adapted to store a number. The tag comprising a plurality of substantially identical two dimensional arrays of dots, each array being indicative of the number for improving tag detection; each arrays comprise a plurality of clusters, each cluster representing a predetermined symbol being indicative of a part of the number. An etching apparatus, for creating a pattern of dots, comprising a plurality of laser sources held in a manifold defining any one or more of a vector grid, or array grid. A tagging reading apparatus comprising a lens element being adapted to control focus, zoom and ingress light; an image capture element for obtaining image data; a processor element adapted to apply one or more digital processing functions to the image; the processor element being adapted to calculate code data indicative of the tag number.

Abstract: In part, the invention relates to a security feature for authenticating an object having an outer surface and an inner surface. The security feature includes a substrate having a length and a width and a two-dimensional code comprising a plurality of two dimensional regions, the plurality of two dimensional regions disposed in the substrate, the two-dimensional code is substantially invisible when inspected during exposure to visible light and readable during exposure to ultraviolet light.

Abstract: The invention relates to A method for speeding up the detection and the activation of the communication protocol used between a terminal (2) and a UICC (4) supporting at least one High Speed protocol (HSP). The method according to the invention is characterized by providing the terminal (2) with information about the High Speed Protocol supported by said UICC (4) through the current interface prior to the communication with said UICC (4) through a HSP interface.

Abstract: Labels that are conducive to the detection of bar-codes and other indicia having varying spectral emissivity values are provided. The labels include a substrate, a background layer, a thermally conductive layer and an adhesive layer. The background layer is preferably similar in visual appearance to the indicium that the label is to receive. Meanwhile, the thermally conductive layer is made from a material with high thermal conductivity that is used to substantially equalize the temperature across the label surface, thereby enabling a faster and cheaper detection of transitions of differential emissivity on the indicium surface. The adhesive layer is used for attaching the label to a document or other product.

Abstract: The present invention provides a semiconductor device which is formed at low cost and has a great versatility, a manufacturing method thereof, and further a semiconductor device with an improved yield, and a manufacturing method thereof. A structure, which has a base including a plurality of depressions having different shapes or sizes, and a plurality of IC chips which are disposed in the depressions and which fit the depressions, is formed. A semiconductor device which selectively includes a function in accordance with an application, by using the base including the plurality of depressions and the IC chips which fit the depressions, can be manufactured at low cost.

Abstract: A card authentication is performed. An authentication chip for performing authentication by a copy-disabled hologram chip is attached to a card and when or after the card is introduced into a handling device, the authentication chip information is read to perform authentication. Read may be performed in a planar shape but a linear shape can reduce the processing load. An arbitrary straight line or a curved line may be used as a read line shape by modifying the read position in association with the card movement when the card is placed to be read. When the card introduced to a terminal device is an unauthorized one, the card is ejected or an alarm is issued when the card is introduced inside.

Abstract: The invention relates to improvements in security substrates for security documents. The security substrate has at least two sets of regions having a machine detectable characteristic, in which only a first set of regions is applied to a first surface of the substrate. At least two sets of regions together form a machine readable code.

Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein relate to methods, devices, and computer systems thereof for visibly or non-visibly indicating a subject has received a medical treatment. In certain embodiments, a subject receives an information mark in conjunction with a medical treatment. In certain embodiments, the information mark includes unique information relating to the subject. In certain embodiments, the information mark is fluorescent or phosphorescent. In certain embodiments, devices, computer systems, and methods relate to reading an information mark on a subject, and optionally determining if further medical treatment of the subject is warranted. In certain embodiments, receipt of an information mark entitles a subject to a reward.

Abstract: A method for compensating the axial ratio of an antenna for testing radio-frequency identification (RFID) tags and an apparatus using the method are provided. The method includes the following steps. An initial location of the RFID tag (or a tagged product) is set to obtain an initial vector. The RFID tag and the antenna are respectively rotated with a first axis and a second axis to detect characteristics of the RFID tag in all directions, and the first axis and the second axis are perpendicular. A polarization angle of the RFID tag is calculated according to the initial vector of the RFID tag and a location of the RFID tag after rotation. A compensation value is obtained through a look up table according to the polarization angle, so as to compensate for the axial ratio of the antenna.

Abstract: A method deconvolves a multiplexed fluorescence spectral signal into its component single-color fluorescence spectra emitted by contributing fluorophore types. A spectral database contains a parameter set for each of the component spectra. Optical codes are received as the multiplexed signals. A sliding window technique estimates a number and location of local peaks for the component spectra. Allowable variation ranges are assigned for the corresponding parameter sets. Each multiplexed signal is deconvolved into a sum of parametric values to generate a list of its component spectra. Encoded and received optical codes, in the form of multiplexed signals, are decoded and identified by their component spectra and contributing fluorophore types. A system for deconvolving the multiplexed signals includes a spectral database containing the parameter sets, a detection element receiving the optical codes, and a signal processor encoded to analyze and deconvolve the multiplexed signals.

Abstract: A labeling method for marking a product with invisible information. The label includes a removable laminate formed from a light transmissive layer, and a light transmissive adhesive that detachably affixes the label to a product. The label includes an invisible marker that contains information, detectable by light of selected wavelength. The amount of marker selected is sufficient to allow information in the marker to be detected only when the laminate is affixed over a surface with a selected optical background. The label laminate is removed from the surface of the product and affixed to a surface having the selected optical background and is exposed to light that renders the information in the marker detectable. The method allows covert information in the label laminate to be reliably detected and read with the use of minimal quantities of marker material.

Abstract: An automated banking machine operates responsive to data bearing records to cause financial transfers. The automated banking machine includes a card reader operative to data card read from user cards. The machine is operative to cause financial transfers responding at least in part to a determination that the read card data corresponds to at least one of an authorized user or an authorized financial account. The automated banking machine includes a display and a printer to produce records of financial transfers carried out with the machine. The automated banking machine includes a housing including a chest. The chest is supported on a safe. The safe includes a depository head that extends upward on the safe and in front of the chest.

Abstract: Taggants can be incorporated into or onto value documents. The taggants comprise a crystalline taggant doped with two rare earth ions. The substrate or printed matter into which the taggant can be incorporated has a minimal absorption infrared wavelength window and the taggant is excited by incident infrared radiation in this wavelength range. Suitable first rare earth ions function as efficient broad band absorbers of incident infrared radiation and passes energy non-radiatively to a second rare earth ion, which emits infrared radiation at a wavelength greater than the incident infrared radiation. The emitted infrared radiation is also in the minimal absorption transmission window of the printed matter or the substrate into which the taggant is incorporated. Methods of authenticating the value document include detection of the emitted radiation at pre-determined values.

Abstract: A system and method for authenticating radio frequency identification (RFID) devices and validating readers of the RFID devices are disclosed. Embodiments of the invention use RFID devices adapted for storing data in a form of data segments selectively associated with promiscuous and non-promiscuous regions of their memories and monitor algorithmic, computational, communicational, or tampered errors of the readers.

Abstract: When a read resolution set for a reader unit (200) is different from the transmission resolution, the read resolution is increased, and then the reader unit (200) reads an image. When the image read by the reader unit (200) contains the first encoded image obtained by encoding input information, the first encoded image is decoded to restore the input information. The restored input information is encoded at the transmission resolution to generate the second encoded image. The second encoded image is transmitted to the destination.

Abstract: A chip package includes a radio-frequency identification (RFID) tag disposed as a spacer structure on a surface of a die in a chip package. A method includes assembling an RFID spacer structure, to at least one chip such as memory or logic. A computing system includes an RFID spacer structure in a chip package.

Abstract: A method of operating a shaker including: disposing a shaker screen in a shaker, wherein the shaker screen includes at least one tag selected from the group consisting of a radio frequency identification tag and a surface acoustic wave tag; reading shaker screen information from the at least one tag; and adjusting at least one shaker variable using the shaker screen information. In another aspect, embodiments relate to a shaker screen including: a filtering element disposed on a frame; wherein the frame includes: at least one outer frame member; at least one cross member; and at least one tag selected from the group consisting of a radio frequency identification tag and a surface acoustic wave tag; wherein at least a portion of the tag is integral with at least one of an outer frame member and a cross member. Also disclosed is a method of manufacturing a shaker screen having an integral tag.

Abstract: An electronic circuit, for which a coil 22 is disposed being overlapped with a region of a memory array 11, carries out communications by inductive coupling between stacked and mounted chips by means of the coil 22. Because each side of the coil 22 is disposed so as not to be parallel to a word line and a bit line 15, crosstalk between ‘the coil 22’ and ‘the word line 14 and bit line 15’ can minimized. This allows efficiently arranging a coil to carry out communications by inductive coupling between chips to be stacked and mounted.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to cashless transactions. In particular, the present invention relates to methods (100) for conducting cashless transactions and systems (400, 500) for implementing said methods. In a first aspect there is provided a method (100) of processing a cashless transaction. The method includes, determining (102) a first identification from a first identification device (426); pre-authorising (104) the cashless transaction on the basis of first identification; determining (106) a second identification from a second identification device (420A); and in the event that the first identification and the second identification are associated, authorising (110) the cashless transaction.

Abstract: A system for one or more portions of one or more regions of an electronic paper assembly having one or more display layers includes, but is not limited to: one or more conformation sensor modules configured to direct acquisition of first information associated with one or more conformations of one or more portions of one or more regions of the electronic paper assembly and one or more multi-layer display control modules configured to direct control of display of one or more portions of one or more display layers of the electronic paper assembly regarding display of second information having one or more classifications in response to the first information associated with the one or more conformations of the one or more portions of the one or more regions of the electronic paper assembly. In addition to the foregoing, other related method/system aspects are described in the claims, drawings, and text forming a part of the present disclosure.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for producing an opaque, transparent or translucent transaction card having multiple features, such as a holographic foil, integrated circuit chip, silver magnetic stripe with text on the magnetic stripe, opacity gradient, an invisible optically recognizable compound, a translucent signature field such that the signature on back of the card is visible from the front of the card and an active thru date on the front of the card. The invisible optically recognizable compound is preferably an infrared ink comprising an infrared phthalocyanine dye, an infrared phosphor, and a quantum dot energy transfer compound. The infrared ink can be detected by a sensor found in an ATM or card assembly line.

Abstract: A security document is disclosed which includes an electrical circuit embedded in a document substrate, where the electrical circuit includes a power source with at least one electroactive polymer power generator, and an optical display including at least one electroluminescent display element and at least one nanohole array which forms a layer of the electroluminescent display element. A method of authenticating a security document is also disclosed, the method including illuminating an encoded nanohole array in the security document with a focused light beam or laser light source emitting at least one defined wavelength of incident light, detecting a transmitted portion of the incident light transmitted through the nanohole array with an optoelectronic sensor, analyzing at least one wavelength of the transmitted portion of light to produce a detected signal, and comparing the detected signal with an authentication signal to authenticate the security document.

Abstract: A taggant composition including a taggant material that is invisible in light of the visible spectrum and fluoresces under a non-visible excitation energy, a binder, and a solvent in which the taggant material and the binder are dissolved. The taggant composition can be printed or otherwise applied to a material such as fabric to provide a detectable and identifiable indicium. A method and apparatus for detecting and decoding the taggant indicium are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for producing an opaque, transparent or translucent transaction card having multiple features, such as a holographic foil, integrated circuit chip, silver magnetic stripe with text on the magnetic stripe, opacity gradient, an invisible optically recognizable compound, a translucent signature field such that the signature on back of the card is visible from the front of the card and an active thru date on the front of the card. The invisible optically recognizable compound is an infrared ink and/or film, which can be detected by a sensor found in an ATM or card assembly line.

Abstract: Detection systems that detect and decode machine-readable information and other indicia having varying spectral emissivity values are provided. The detection systems include a sensor, circuitry, and temperature influencing mechanism. The system may be connected to other hardware, such as a computer display screen, or audio emitting device. Meanwhile, the sensor detects differential emissivity values by measuring energy emitted from the targets of interest.

Abstract: A pass or a cash, EC or credit card includes an embossed styled display element. The card provides access to at least one account, and has limit information on the face. The card also shows at least one date, a name, an expiry date and/or a card number—e.g. credit card number—that is proprietary; and an area for promotion or logo. The card is characterized in that the card has additionally a second display element which shows the card limit matching the proprietary date and the limit of the credit card or the individual card.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods, reagents, and apparatus for authenticating products. Methods of the invention are easy to implement but difficult to replicate, simulate, alter, transpose, or tamper with. In particular, the present invention relates to a product authentication code defined by a signature array of a population of entities, and its use thereof.

Abstract: Particles conveying a code are incorporated into polymer matrix to form a core document substrate. These particles may be colored to create a distinctive look of the document that makes it unique for a particular document issuer and enables visual authentication. Addition of a covert attribute to the particle, such as a UV pigment or hidden layer of material, allows a covert, forensic characteristic and it also allows a mathematical description to be calculated describing the random distribution of a specific area on a document and then captured on it (e.g., in the bar code or magnetic stripe or digital watermark on an ID document).

Abstract: A reader device for detecting the presence of a transponder within an operating distance of the reader device, the reader device comprising a resonant circuit adapted for generating an electromagnetic field having a frequency distribution around a resonance frequency, and a transponder detection unit adapted for detecting the presence of the transponder within the operating distance of the reader device by a shift of the resonance frequency of the resonant circuit in the presence of the transponder within the operating distance of the reader device.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for producing an opaque, transparent or translucent transaction card having multiple features, such as a holographic foil, integrated circuit chip, silver magnetic stripe with text on the magnetic stripe, opacity gradient, an invisible optically recognizable compound, a translucent signature field such that the signature on back of the card is visible from the front of the card and an active thru date on the front of the card. The invisible optically recognizable compound is preferably an infrared ink comprising an infrared phthalocyanine dye, an infrared phosphor, and a quantum dot energy transfer compound. The infrared ink can be detected by a sensor found in an ATM or card assembly line.

Abstract: A banking system is controlled responsive to data included on data bearing records. The system includes a deposit accepting machine for accepting deposit items, such as deposit bags, currency, and checks. The deposit accepting machine is in connection with a card reader operative to read data corresponding to financial accounts from user cards. The machine further includes an RFID reading device that is operative to read signals from RFID tags to obtain deposit information therefrom. The information can include data associated with the deposit, such as an account number and a deposit amount. The information can also include cash value. A computer is operative to credit a financial account for value associated with deposited items responsive to data read by the card reader and/or RFID reading device.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for producing a transparent or translucent transaction card having multiple features. An optically recognizable compound may be associated with a portion of the card for blocking infrared radiation and may comprise an infrared ink having nanocrystalline indium tin oxide particles. Moreover, a portion of the transaction card may include a second optically recognizable compound disposed thereon. The second optically recognizable compound may comprise an infrared phthalocyanine dye, an infrared phosphor, and a quantum dot energy transfer compound. The infrared ink may be detected by a sensor found in an ATM or card assembly line.

Abstract: Methods are provided for creating a fluorescent watermark within an image on a substrate, such as paper. The method involves creating a halftone image using two different halftone strategies. The halftone method is combined with a binary watermark mask to form two color patterns (e.g., one in a background region of the image and one in a watermark region of the image) and two successive-filling halftone algorithms, such that the ink droplets deposited by one color pattern cover more of the substrate than the ink droplets deposited by the other color pattern, with the two color patterns having approximately the same reflectance under normal light. However, under UV illumination, a visible difference (e.g., the watermark) is seen in the two patterns.

Abstract: A method of embedding an optical signature in a document and document produced therefrom. The optical signature uses an invisible optical pattern or covering that can reflect light in non-visible wavelengths, such as light in infrared, or fluoresces when exposed to a particular wavelength of light, such as ultra-violet light. The invisible optical pattern can be a covering over another optical pattern, or a base pattern upon which a second optical pattern is embedded.