Abstract: A method, apparatus and computer program product for providing protection for a document is presented. Document content of the document is obtained. An occurrence of a security code within the document content is detected, the security code associated with the document content. A security policy associated with the security code is identified. The identified security policy is then applied to the document content.

Abstract: A method for encryption of a digital watermark by intelligent halftoning includes receiving image data that define at least a portion of a document to be printed in terms of at least three halftone images corresponding respectively to three printing colorants, each of the three halftone images comprising a plurality of halftone cells. The image data are modified by phase-shifting some of the halftone cells of at least one of the halftone images relative to the other halftone images to encode a watermark within the portion of the document such that the at least one phase-shifted halftone image includes a phase-shifted region and a non-phase-shifted region. The modified image data are used to print the portion of the document on a substrate that will fluoresce when subjected to UV illumination. The printed portion of the document includes a first printed pattern resulting from the phase-shifted region and a second printed pattern resulting from the non-phase-shifted region.

Abstract: A security document comprising a printed security feature having a tactile feel, said security feature comprising a printed layer with particles protruding at least 10 ?m therefrom in an amount of at least 3 particles per mm2 of said layer.

Abstract: The invention relates to a value document, in particular a bank note, having a value document substrate and at least three different feature substances for checking the value document, which has a first feature substance, and wherein second and third feature substances are applied to the value document substrate in a printing ink jointly. The second feature substance is formed by a luminescent substance, and the third feature substance by a material absorbent in a special spectral range.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a foil material for transfer to a target substrate, and methods for manufacturing such a foil material. In a method according to the present invention, a plastic substrate foil (32) is provided that is suitable for aligning liquid crystal material. To the substrate foil (32) is discontiguously applied a layer (34) comprising a liquid crystal material that is aligned.

Abstract: A fluorescent ink composition comprising functionalized fluorescent nanocrystals, an aqueous-based ink carrier comprising water or a water-based solution, and a binder. Also provided are methods of providing an image or a security mark on a substrate for subsequent identification by applying a fluorescent ink composition onto the substrate.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image forming unit adapted to form images of a plurality of colors in a manner in which a predetermined pattern of a predetermined color is registered thereon and superimpose those images to form a color image, a controller configured to control the image forming unit so as to form a patch image of each color for density detection, and a detector configured to detect the density of each of the patch images. The controller controls the image forming unit so as to superimpose the predetermined pattern of the predetermined color upon the patch image of a predetermined color and not to superimpose the predetermined pattern of the predetermined color upon the patch images of the other colors.

Abstract: A security device that increases the number of design options available for a machine testable security feature formed in part from a light absorbing (e.g., magnetic) material, while more effectively hiding or concealing this material, is provided. The inventive security device achieves these results by physically separating this security feature from a visually detectable or public security feature. Also provided by way of this invention is a process for preparing the inventive security device as well as a security document that employs one or more such devices.

Abstract: A security object has a substrate (1) carrying a first motif (6) and mutually aligned thereto a second motif (7). The first motif (6) is formed by a volume hologram (8) and visible under a given viewing condition only. The second motif (7) can e.g. be a dye, a surface hologram, a perforation or any other non-variable or optically variable device. The first and the second motif (6, 7) combine to form a third motif, e.g. a legible text. The combination of the first motif (6) formed by a volume hologram (8) with the second motif provides an increased level of security.

Abstract: The invention relates to a data carrier having a security element that is at lest visually testable and has an embossing in at least a partial area, the embossing being a halftone blind embossing executed by inkless line intaglio printing, and to a method for producing the data carrier and a printing plate for blind-embossing a security element.

Abstract: The invention concerns an object of value (15), for example a credit card, banknote or identity card. The object of value (15) has a carrier layer (1), at least one first layer (21) containing a moiré pattern and at least one second layer (31, 33) containing a moiré analyzer for the moiré pattern of the first layer (21). That second layer is arranged above or beneath the first layer in a fixed position relative to the first layer in such a way that the moiré pattern of the first layer (21) and the moiré analyzer of the second layer (31, 33) are permanently optically superimposed at least in region-wise fashion, whereby a permanent moiré image is generated.

Abstract: One aspect of the present invention provides a method for systematically arranging paint color samples for convenient browsing and identification of desired colors by shoppers. Paint color sample cards are arranged on a two-dimensional display surface such that colors of similar hue are categorized or grouped together (e.g., along a column). Groups of paint color sample cards having different base hue or color are arranged such that there is a gradual transition between paint colors from one region to the next region. For instance, the colors of sample cards may gradually change from column to column across a two-dimensional display. Additionally, within each color group, paint color sample cards are arranged from most chromatic to least chromatic colors. Another aspect of the invention provides for accent color sample cards to be displayed adjacent to the various base color groups.

Abstract: A printed indicium comprising a first section comprising a first ink having a first color under normal daylight; and a second section comprising a second different ink, wherein the second different ink comprises a photochromic or thermochromic ink which is not visible under normal daylight, the second section further comprising a third different ink which comprises a photochromic or thermochromic ink which is visible under normal daylight.

Abstract: A security deterrent mark includes one or more areas of interest, and at least one entropy-enhancing region within the one or more areas of interest.

Abstract: The invention relates to a security feature (8) for security documents (9), in particular bank notes. A first body colour (51) is applied in a first region (1) and a printing ink (53), in particular a day luminescent dye, is applied in an illuminating region (3). The printing ink (53) is applied outside the copy dye range of the four colour prints according to the Europe-scale or DIN-scale. According to the invention, a first mixed colour (54) of the first body colour (51) and the printing ink (53) is applied in a first overlapping region (13), and the first mixed colour (54) is arranged outside the copy dye range or in the edge region of the copy dye range, in order to increase protection against forgery.

Abstract: A security feature and method for verifying the authenticity of commercial paper. In one embodiment, pearlescent ink is added to a portion of commercial paper stock. A recipient can then tilt the commercial paper stock to view the pearlescent ink mark, design, or spot from different angles, causing the pearlescent ink to appear different colors and verifying the authenticity of the commercial paper. Further, according to another embodiment, thermochromic ink is applied to a portion of commercial paper stock. A recipient can then apply heat to the commercial paper stock in the area of the ink mark, thereby causing the thermochromic ink to disappear or change colors.

Abstract: In authenticity determinable printed matter according to this invention, a background image portion and at least one message image portion are printed on a surface of a base member. The background image portion has a first line drawing which is arrayed in a first direction and printed by an ink with a specular gloss to have an ink layer thickness. The message image portion has a second line drawing which is arrayed in a second direction and printed by the ink with the specular gloss to have the ink layer thickness.

Abstract: A medication reminder system is provided for allowing patients, especially those with memory or eyesight problems, to improve compliance with a medication regimen that has been prescribed by their physician. The system is organized for ease of patient identification by recording medications in blank or color-coded fields upon a sheet to match an indicator associated with a medication container. The sheet also includes markings associated with some or all of the medications which provide a way for the patient to gain more information about the medication.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing a data carrier having a laser-markable layer and a transparent optically variable layer overlapping therewith at least in certain areas, wherein visually visible markings that at least partly overlap with the optically variable layer are produced in the laser-markable layer after the application of the optically variable layer. The invention further includes a data carrier produced by the method and a semifinished product, such as a data carrier blank, that is provided for processing by the method.

Abstract: A combined printing and binding device which is designed to print and bind a multi-page interactive publication. The device includes a communicator which is designed to receive a set of page descriptions from a computer system. The page descriptions correspond to the pages of the interactive publication and each page description includes content information and coded data. The device also includes a printer which is designed to print, onto media sheets, each of the page descriptions received by the communicator. The printer does this by simultaneosly printing the content information in visible ink and the coded data in substantially invisible ink. The device also includes a binder that is designed to bind the printed media sheets together to form the printed, bound, interactive publication.

Abstract: The present invention provides a durable and self-verifying secure document system and a method for its production, wherein counterfeiting is prevented. The secure document system is potentially useful for a wide variety of documents including, but not limited to, lottery tickets, currency, traveler's checks, passports, stock and bond certificates, bank notes, driver's licenses, wills, coupons, rebates, contracts, food stamps, magnetic stripes, test answer forms, invoices, tickets, inventory forms, tags, labels and original artwork. The instant invention provides a plastic paper substitute having various indicia associated therewith including visible and hidden indicia. Application of the hidden indicia to the plastic paper substitute is implemented in accordance with a computer software program, and the document includes an integral lens area which is particularly designed to verify the document's authenticity by rendering the hidden indicia visible to the viewer.

Abstract: The invention relates to a document of value such as a paper of value or ID card with a security element having an optically variable material. Said optically variable material conveys different color effects at different viewing angles. Additionally, the security element has at least one machine-readable feature substance that does not impair the visually visible optically variable effect of the optically variable material.

Abstract: The present invention provides a security element which is low in cost, is difficult to forge or alter, and can be applied to objects where a high level of security is required. The security element comprises at least a substrate and a fluorescent colorant layer provided on the substrate, wherein the fluorescent colorant layer comprises N species of fluorescent colorants Fn, wherein N is an integer of 2 or more and n is an integer of not less than one and not more than N, in the same layer, and the fluorescent colorant Fn absorbs light with a wavelength of ?n and emits fluorescence with a wavelength of ?n+1.

Abstract: A calendar comprising a medium upon which a plurality of indicia are applied, wherein each of the indicia coacts with an adjacent indicia, and wherein each of the indicia is visually indicative of a complete lunar day and a complete solar day. Each indicia for the lunar day coacts with two indicia for the solar day and each indicia for the solar day coacts with two indicia for the lunar day. Additionally, the calendar comprises an interlocking notched indicia weekday banner, wherein the interlocking notched indicia weekday banner represents the relation between the seven days of a Jewish week and the seven days of a secular week. Furthermore, each indicia may form a plurality of indicia identifying a respective plurality of days, a respective one or more weeks, a respective one or more months, or a respective one or more years.

Abstract: Patterns are aligned on the front and back surfaces of a document to provide an anti-counterfeiting security device. The document is sufficiently transparent to allow see-through of the partial image on the back of the document to be superimposed on the partial image on the front of the document to form a complete image if the patterns are properly aligned. The complete image will disappear if misaligned.

Abstract: The invention relates to a security paper with at least two types of mottled fibers, which differ in terms of their luminescent characteristics and form a code. In each case one type of mottled fibers is present in a defined subarea of the security paper, and the code is represented by the defined geometric arrangement of the subareas on the security paper and/or by the presence or absence of mottled fibers of a specific type.

Abstract: Product package, comprising a data storage device, packaging material, and an authentication system. The authentication system comprises first and second coatings coated on the storage device and the packaging material. One of the coatings comprises chromogenic microcapsules capable of reacting to produce color. The other coating comprises color developer. The coatings can be bonded to each other or a composite coating can be a self-contained color former such as on the storage device. The invention further comprises methods of affirming authenticity of a data storage device. The method comprises applying to the storage device a color-reactable coating which can react with a color-producing second composition, packaging the storage device to provide a closed and sealed packaged, opening the package, and concurrent with or after opening the package, reacting the chemical compositions to produce the color as an indication of authenticity of the data storage device.

Abstract: A scratch tape includes a base substrate, a UV coating layer formed on the upper surface of the base substrate, a lightproof layer 30 formed of the UV coating layer for shielding light, and a water-based coating layer 40 such that the enhanced lightproof property provides the security-required products with the reliable security, and is manufactured using the platen press printing such the whole manufacturing costs can be reduced.

Abstract: Proofing paper has a first blank region for subsequent printing of a content image portion, and a second region outside of the first blank region having one or more standard color bars pre-printed thereon.

Abstract: A tamper evident seal for use as an indicator of tampering of, for example, a food or beverage container, is disclosed. The seal includes a tamper resistant layer having physically destructive characteristics that provide a visual indication when the tamper resistant layer is disturbed. An anchoring layer having a topcoat is covered by the tamper resistant layer, the topcoat having a color that is visually distinct from the tamper resistant layer. Upon a breaking of the tamper resistant layer, the colored topcoat of the anchoring layer is visible through the tamper resistant layer to indicate tampering of the seal. The seal is useful to indicate whether a closure of a container, such as a beverage bottle, has been opened or partially opened.

Abstract: The invention relates to a document of value consisting of a substrate of predetermined surface area with a printed image visible to the naked eye and a marking in the form of characters, patterns or the like at least partly superimposed on the printed image. The marking is represented by a feature substance having at least one mechanically detectable physical property and extends over the predominant part of the surface of the document. The marking additionally has a given measurable regularity which makes it possible, by mechanical scanning of the marking, to detect the correctness of the distribution and recognize gaps or added partial elements of other authentic documents as disturbances.

Abstract: This invention converts commercially available plastic ID cards, usually made of PVC, and/or electronically printed documents, e.g., laser printed documents, photo copier printed documents, dye-sublimation printed documents, ink jet printed documents, into time dependant, self-expiring badges or documents that display a visual indicia, e.g., change of color, appearance of a word, e.g., VOID after a specified or predetermined period of time. Broadly, a pressure sensitive security sticker is applied to these commercially available plastic ID cards and/or electronically printed documents. The sticker changes color, typically from white to red, after a predetermined period of time. This change in color is caused by the toner/dye/color pigment contained in these documents. The sticker provides a time dependent indicator for these documents.

Abstract: A microparticle taggant having two or more distinguishable marker layers corresponding to a predetermined numeric code. The plurality of particles comprises a plurality of microparticle sets of at least one microparticle, each microparticle set is characterized by a specific marker layer combination different from each other microparticle set, and the combination of microparticle sets employed in said taggant collectively forms the numeric code. Each specific marker layer combination may employ two or more layers. The microparticle sets employed in the taggant may include at least one datum marker layer coded to include place information and at least two value marker layers coded to specify a value within the place, the datum marker layer(s) being readily distinguishable from the value marker layers and functioning to identify an orientation of the value marker layers.

Abstract: An iridescent material comprises a diffraction grating incorporating a plurality of sheets (1) of a first substantially transparent material in parallel alignment and spaced away apart by quantities of a second substantially transparent material (2), the second material having a refractive index significantly lower than the refractive index of the first material, the plates being tilted at an angle &thgr; to an axis X and the grating having a period d(X) in the direction of axis X, the angle &thgr; and period d being such that a second diffraction grating is provided along an axis Z, perpendicular to axis X, the second diffraction grating having a period d(Z) and consisting of ten periods or less and whereby, the diffraction conditions of the grating can be simultaneously fulfilled by electromagentic radiation of a range of wavelength thereby causing iridescence.

Abstract: A multiyear calendar in the form of a multipage, book-like assembly with a standard page and 14 leaves on top thereof, each leaf rotatable along an edge seam to expose another leaf below. The standard page has a two dimensional array which graphically presents the basic information of the day and date for any given month in any given year. Each of the leaves lists the years for which it is used and a vertical array of 12 symbols each designating a month of the year and usable, in conjunction with the standard page, to determine the first day of each month.

Abstract: A counterfeit-resistant document comprises a substrate and a nano-pattern of nano-structures disposed on the substrate, wherein the nano-pattern is configured for forming a latent message (e.g., a warning or alert message) that appears on a copy of the document. The nano-pattern forms one of a foreground and a background of the latent message; and another pattern, e.g., a conventional pattern or another nano-pattern, forms the other of the foreground and background of the latent message. The nano-pattern and the other pattern are configured, such that the foreground and background exhibit substantially similar visual densities on an original of the document, and exhibit substantially different visual densities on the copied document. This can be accomplished by forming the nano-pattern with nano-structures (e.g.

Abstract: A microparticle taggant having two or more distinguishable marker layers corresponding to a predetermined numeric code. The plurality of particles comprises a plurality of microparticle sets of at least one microparticle, each microparticle set is characterized by a specific marker layer combination different from each other microparticle set, and the combination of microparticle sets employed in said taggant collectively forms the numeric code. Each specific marker layer combination may employ two or more layers. The microparticle sets employed in the taggant may include at least one datum marker layer coded to include place information and at least two value marker layers coded to specify a value within the place, the datum marker layer(s) being readily distinguishable from the value marker layers and functioning to identify an orientation of the value marker layers.

Abstract: Disclosed is a printing system in which unauthorized copying and reproduction are prevented by making it easy to identify the source which created or manipulated image data to be reproduced and outputted. In accordance with this printing system, image data is entered from a personal computer that generates the image data, attribute information concerning the personal computer and a printer for forming an image is acquired, identification information which specifies the personal computer and the printer is generated based upon the attribute information, this identification information is added to the image data, and an image is printed using the image data to which the identification information has been added.

Abstract: A product label in which a heat sensitive recording layer and a heat sensitive color forming layer for printing goods information are laminated on a substrate, the heat sensitive recording layer and the heat sensitive color forming layer form colors different from each other and the heat sensitive color forming layer forming an emphasis area. Partial disposition of the heat sensitive color forming layer for the emphasis area can provide a product label of inexpansive material cost and capable of heat sensitive recording for two or more colors with no color mixing under simple control.

Abstract: Ingestible compositions comprising a chromic change agent together with methods of making and using them are provided. The chromic change agent alternatively may be associated with the ingestible, such as a packaging material for the ingestible. In response to a triggering event, physical or chemical, the chromic change agent changes color to provide information as to the history of the ingestible, either prior or contemporaneous with use. Depending on the use, the color change agent may be reversible or irreversible. Various solid or liquid ingestible compositions are provided for determining ingestible temperature, storage temperature, user temperature, light exposure, pH change, hydration or solvation change, mechanical stress, and the like, particularly in comestibles. Of particular interest are polydiacetylene polymers that may be formulated to provide compositions having numerous different color transition triggering mechanisms.

Abstract: The invention relates to a document of value consisting of a substrate of predetermined surface area with a printed image visible to the naked eye and a marking in the form of characters, patterns or the like at least partly superimposed on the printed image. The marking is represented by a feature substance having at least one mechanically detectable physical property and extends over the predominant part of the surface of the document. The marking additionally has a given measurable regularity which makes it possible, by mechanical scanning of the marking, to detect the correctness of the distribution and recognize gaps or added partial elements of other authentic documents as disturbances.

Abstract: The invention relates to a document of value consisting of a substrate of predetermined surface area with a printed image visible to the naked eye and a marking in the form of characters, patterns or the like at least partly superimposed on the printed image. The marking is represented by a feature substance having at least one mechanically detectable physical property and extends over the predominant part of the surface of the document. The marking additionally has a given measurable regularity which makes it possible, by mechanical scanning of the marking, to detect the correctness of the distribution and recognize gaps or added partial elements of other authentic documents as disturbances.

Abstract: An article of manufacture is disclosed which comprises a component container and a plurality of labels removably affixed to the component container and having printed thereon an identifier, wherein the identifier is electronically encoded in a component inside the component container and uniquely identifies the component. A method is also disclose which comprises determining a unique identifier electronically encoded on a component, printing the unique identifier on a plurality of labels, and affixing the plurality of labels to a component container into which the component is inserted.

Abstract: A hidden image game piece and a method by which a hidden image game piece is produced and used. A first hidden image game piece is formed on a transparent or translucent substrate. A second hidden image game piece is formed electronically, and optionally printed or, alternatively, saved and distributed in electronic format. The hidden image game piece can be used to distributed either physically or electronically, and it may be used to derive demographic information from recipients, to drive them to web sites or retail outlets, and to provide a means for distributing advertising, either on the game pieces or at a game site, which may be a physical site, such as a retail outlet, or an electronic site, such as an Internet site. The methods of the present invention include the method of producing a game piece, the method of deriving demographic information from recipients of the game pieces, and the method of providing advertising to recipients of the game pieces.

Abstract: A printed matter such as an advertisement material is provided. The printed matter includes a printing layer provided on a base plate and having various colors printed thereon such that half-tone dots of the respective colors are printed and overlap at a predetermined portion. A projection layer made of transparent epoxy resin or ultraviolet resin for covering only a particular portion of the printing layer intended to be emphasized, is formed on the printing layer. Also, a plurality of hemispherical protrusions made of transparent ultraviolet resin is formed on the projection layer using a screen printing method. The respective colors of the printing layer disposed beneath the hemispherical protrusions are refracted at different refraction angles to then be visually perceived. Thus, the colors, which are not visually perceived by naked eye, are made visible, thereby providing a three-dimensional effect to the printing layer.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to a filing element such as a suspended file or file folder for the introduction of documents and an identification strip, characterized in that the identification strip exhibits at least one series of sites, each of which is identified by an alphanumeric labeling that is permanent and invariable for the totality of the elements of a filing system, with one of the sites of the series also having at least one colored identification labeling, with the choice of the labeling colors and the labeling site being specific to the given filing element.

Abstract: A hidden image game piece and a method by which a hidden image game piece is produced and used. A first hidden image game piece is formed on a transparent or translucent substrate. A second hidden image game piece is formed electronically, and optionally printed or, alternatively, saved and distributed in electronic format. The hidden image game piece can be used to distributed either physically or electronically, and it may be used to derive demographic information from recipients, to drive them to web sites or retail outlets, and to provide a means for distributing advertising, either on the game pieces or at a game site, which may be a physical site, such as a retail outlet, or an electronic site, such as an Internet site. The methods of the present invention include the method of producing a game piece, the method of deriving demographic information from recipients of the game pieces, and the method of providing advertising to recipients of the game pieces.

Abstract: A laminated form is made of multiple plies which are laminated together. One or both of the outer plies is die-cut to form a plurality of spaced apart or contiguous removable labels. Each label has one portion on the underside provided with a pressure-sensitive adhesive to allow the label to be temporarily attached, for example, to a page of a catalog. The adhesive-free portion of each label may be held in place in the form by ties or by adhesive on the opposed ply with a barrier coat therebetween. The labels may be disposed in a random pattern on each ply with suitable software provided to image the labels in distinct manners.

Abstract: A method for distinguishing photocopied or laser-printed documents from original documents produced by offset printing, handwriting, or typewriting. A document is scanned at low-resolution and at high-resolution to produce a low-resolution and a high-resolution matrix representation of the presence or absence of ink or toner at discrete locations on the surface of the document. Printed regions detected at low-resolution are used to mask regions of the high-resolution matrix representation from the analysis. The remaining unmasked regions of the high-resolution matrix representation are analyzed to detect discrete microdots uniformly distributed within those regions. The presence of microdots on the surface of the document indicates that the document was produced as a photocopied or a laser-printed duplicate.

Abstract: A product label in which a heat sensitive recording layer and a heat sensitive color forming layer for printing goods information are laminated on a substrate, the heat sensitive recording layer and the heat sensitive color forming layer form colors different from each other and the heat sensitive color forming layer forming an emphasis area. Partial disposition of the heat sensitive color forming layer for the emphasis area can provide a product label of inexpansive material cost and capable of heat sensitive recording for two or more colors with no color mixing under simple control.