Abstract: A mailing card for mailing confidential information securely, comprising: a card having a front and a back and configured to be mailed; a display layer over the front of the card; a security shield removably coupled to the display layer and including a design substantially matching the design of the display layer, wherein the security shield is selectably coupleable to a portion of the back of the card and substantially opaque thereby enabling a user to obscure writing thereon. In addition, the security shield includes a pressure sensitive adhesive layer. Moreover, the security shield is sized smaller than the display layer and matches the design of the display layer at borders of the security shield when disposed at a predetermined location over the display layer. Furthermore, the security shield substantially identically matches a portion of the design of the display layer.

Abstract: In a method for printing a metal-tone printed matter, a metallic ink which includes metal particles dispersed in a solvent is applied onto a smooth printing surface of a printing medium to provide a metallic ink layer containing a metal layer having the metal particles accumulated on a printing surface side closer to the smooth printing surface in the metallic ink layer. The printing medium is reversed to transfer the metallic ink layer onto a material to be transferred while making a smooth surface of the metal layer as a display surface.

Abstract: The invention describes a method providing prints with fluorescent effects on a document generated by color electrophotographic print processes, employing an electrophotographic printer equipped with five print modules, where four printing stations are equipped with black, yellow, magenta and cyan toners and a fifth station is equipped with substantially clear fluorescent toners to be printed on top of the color toners or directly on a substrate of the print document. In further developments of the present invention, the clear fluorescent toner absorbs light in the UV-A range or comprises metallic pigments or metallic effect pigments added to the clear fluorescent toner.

Abstract: A method for deterring information copying, includes: combining a watermark serial number incorporate in a given medium with a content serial number to create a combined serial number, the watermark serial number uniquely identifies the given medium, and the content serial number uniquely identifies a content stored on the given medium; creating a digital signature by encoding the combined serial number using a private key of a public/private key pair; imprinting the content serial number and the digital signature on the given medium; decoding the digital signature imprinted on the given medium using a public key of the public/private key pair to obtain the combined serial number; comparing the decoded combined serial number with the watermark serial number and the content serial number imprinted of the given medium; and in response to determining that both match the combined serial number, determining that the content is authentic.

Abstract: A method for detecting color transitions in at least one portion of a document of value by determining for each image elements whether color coordinate values in the color space that are allocated to the image element correspond to a reference color distribution, which is given by at least one predetermined, closed reference surface in the color space, that is given by at least one linear segment predetermined for the document of value and a predetermined distance of the points of the reference surface from the at least one linear segment. The method further has the steps comparing the positions of the image elements whose color coordinate values are disposed inside or outside of the reference surface to predetermined reference positions on the document of value and detecting in dependence on the result of the comparison a presence or an absence of a color transition caused by soiling or color wear.

Abstract: Monodisperse particles having: a single pure crystalline phase of a rare earth-containing lattice, a uniform three-dimensional size, and a uniform polyhedral morphology are disclosed. Due to their uniform size and shape, the monodisperse particles self assemble into superlattices. The particles may be luminescent particles such as down-converting phosphor particles and up-converting phosphors. The monodisperse particles of the invention have a rare earth-containing lattice which in one embodiment may be an yttrium-containing lattice or in another may be a lanthanide-containing lattice. The monodisperse particles may have different optical properties based on their composition, their size, and/or their morphology (or shape).

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a security feature for a security element, a security paper or a data carrier that exhibits a substrate into which at least one through opening and at least one marking in registration with the through opening are to be introduced. The method includes the steps of providing a substrate with a laser-modifiable marking substance at least in the region of the marking to be produced and, in the same operation, introducing at least one through opening into the substrate by the action of laser radiation at higher laser power and modifying the laser-modifiable marking substance in the marking region by the action of laser radiation at a lower laser power to produce at least one marking in registration with the through opening.

Abstract: The invention provides a thread and counterfeit preventive paper satisfying the conditions that, when the micro-character of the thread is viewed from one side and opposite side of the paper or printed material, the image of micro-character can be recognized in the same direction from any side, not in opposite direction to each other, and that, when viewed from the opposite side, the image of the corresponding micro-character is not visible. The counterfeit preventive paper and counterfeit preventive printed material have a structure in which a thread having metal deposition layers formed in a pattern of micro-character and colored printed layers formed thereon provided on both sides of a strip-like and light permeable substrate is inserted between paper layers.

Abstract: The invention concerns a security element (3?) having a top side and an underside and a process for the production thereof. The security element has a transparent layer (33?) with a non-homogenous refractive index, in which a plurality of Bragg planes are formed by a refractive index variation. The transparent layer (33?) is of a layer thickness of between 5 ?m and 200 ?m and the transparent layer (33?) has a plurality of first zones (41) of a smallest dimension of less than 300 ?m, which are arranged in accordance with a first grid raster in a one-dimensional or two-dimensional succession in mutually adjacent relationship and in which the Bragg planes of the transparent layer are respectively shaped to provide a respective transmissive optical imaging function.

Abstract: An optical security label for security and anti-counterfeit applications comprises a first layer having an optically variable portion (diffractive, holographic or interference film) generating an optically variable effect secured to a support layer by a weak adhesive layer such that the first layer can be scratched off the third support layer to reveal underlying data and the label is affixed to a substrate by a pressure sensitive adhesive. The label or substrate carry the data to be protected such a printed or personalized paper or plastic substrate. In one aspect the scratch off region is patterned and also the data can comprise a pattern of alternate scratch off and permanent areas. In one aspect the label is a thin frangible structure delivered to the substrate with a weakly bound top carrier. In another aspect the optical variable device includes a covert image authenticated by a decoder carried on the top of the removable carrier.

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 invention relates to a personalisable support comprising anti-forgery devices which are provided in order to indicate every attempt of fraudulent personalization. The support comprises a body (2) which is on one side equipped with personalization data (6,7) which are obtained by carbonization of the base material by means of a laser beam. The anti-forgery devices (8), which totally or partly cover these personalization data, draw a pattern (90, 80) along which bubbles (9) are created whose density (d1-d5) varies depending on the degree of carbonization of the areas (61-65) which are covered by the pattern.

Abstract: A highly refractive embossing lacquer for producing micro-optic arrangements which contains at least one binding agent which has at least one radiation-curing compound system having one or more organic compounds. The highly refractive embossing lacquer has at least a portion of the organic compounds of the radiation-curing compound system having molecules with at least one polarizable element, so that a polymeric material with a refractive index of greater than 1.5 is formed upon radiation curing. A security element which is produced with at least one micro-optic authenticity feature is also provided. The micro-optic authenticity features permit the production of security elements that are so thin that they can be easily incorporated into value documents.

Abstract: A document comprising a substrate with a surface having cellulose hydroxy groups, an adhesion promoter present on at least a first portion of the substrate surface, and a magnetic ink image formed over the first portion of the substrate surface. The adhesion promoter comprises a silane component including at least one amino functional group and at least one of a second type of functional group that is configured to bond with cellulose hydroxyl groups in the substrate. The magnetic ink image has a magnetic signal strength of at least 80%. A corresponding printing system and a method of printing also are disclosed.

Abstract: This invention provides an information recording patch that allows accurate authenticity discrimination, a printed sheet, and an authenticity discrimination method therefor. An information recording patch includes a protective layer (1), intermediate layer (2), metal layer (3), and adhesive layer (4). The protective layer (1) made of a material having a predetermined dielectric constant is arranged at the uppermost layer. The intermediate layer (2) made of a material having a predetermined dielectric constant has, on its surface, a three-dimensional pattern corresponding to the design of a hologram forming layer including the intermediate layer and the metal layer. The metal layer (3) made of a material having a predetermined conductivity is arranged on the three-dimensional surface of the intermediate layer to form a conductive film.

Abstract: An aqueous black ink composition that produces a black recorded image that is stable even when stored for a long time period, exhibits a neutral black to gray color with low color saturation and no tinge, has a high printed image density and exhibits excellent fastness properties of the recorded image, particularly ozone-gas resistance. The ink composition contain at least one kind of coloring matter (I), which a coloring matter represented by formula (1) below, a tautomer thereof, or a salt of the coloring matter or the tautomer; at least one kind of coloring matter (II), which is a coloring matter represented by formula (2) below or a salt thereof; and coloring matter (III), which is a coloring matter having an azo group other than coloring matters (I) and (II), or a salt thereof.

Abstract: The present invention is related to magnetic pigments comprising a transparent flaky homogeneously composed substrate having two parallel major surfaces and a coating comprising a layered structure composed of a hematite and a magnetite layer, to a process for the production of said pigments as well as to their use.

Abstract: The invention relates to a security element for protecting documents of value, which has magnetic material. Furthermore, the invention relates to a document of value, a transfer material and method for producing such security elements and documents of value as well as a method and an apparatus for checking such a security element or document of value. According to the invention the security element has at least two magnetic materials, wherein the magnetic materials have different coercive field strengths and are applied onto and/or incorporated in the security element in such a manner that their remanence is equally high.

Abstract: A cable port identification system is disclosed that provides identification facilities for communication, data, other cabling and/or wires and the connectors to which they are coupled found in a multi-port station. In some implementations the identification facilities can include label retention and protection and may also include label magnification.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are an anti-counterfeiting film and process for preparation thereof. The anti-counterfeiting film comprises a directional retroreflective layer (1), an optical-angle-based color-changing information layer (2), a reflective layer (3) and a support layer (4) which are combined in this turn. The support layer (4) is made of a polymer resin material, the reflective layer (3) is made of a material with high reflectivity and has a thickness of nanoscale, the information layer (2) is made of an optical-angle-based color-changing chiral polymer material having a helical structure or made of an optical-angle-based color-changing cellulose material. The optical-angle-based color-changing chiral polymer material having a helical structure is a condensation product of a chiral compound and a compound with functional group. The optical-angle-based color-changing cellulose material is composed of a cellulose derivative and a polymerisable monomer.

Abstract: A chemically etched two dimensional matrix symbol is provided on a substrate. The substrate may be metal or plastic. A process is described for forming a plurality of two dimensional matrix symbols at the same time in batches. The two dimensional data matrix symbol includes a substrate, a plurality of grooves and a plurality of raised areas, and a plurality of ink spots disposed in the grooves according to a predefined code. The matrix is readable by a scanning device.

Abstract: An information page (1) of a security document, includes: an information part (3), on the upper or lower surface of which part of the information recorded on the information page (1) can be seen; and a flexible connecting part (2) with good bending strength for attaching the information page (1) to a security document. To ensure that detaching the information part and the connecting part from each other leaves visible marks, the connecting part (2) has a netlike structure, and the connecting part (2) is arranged to penetrate into the information part (3) in the immediate vicinity of the upper or lower surface of the information part.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a see-through security element (12), for security papers, value documents and the like, having at least one micropattern having a visual appearance that is viewing-angle dependent when looked through (26, 28). According to the present invention, the at least one micropattern is formed from an arrangement of a plurality of pattern elements (24) having a characteristic pattern spacing of 1 ?m or more, and the see-through security element (12) exhibits a total thickness of 50 ?m or less.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for manufacturing a security element (12) having a metalized microrelief pattern and a negative pattern in register therewith, in which P) a substrate (20) is provided with an embossing pattern having elevations (24) and depressions (26) that form first and second regions having different first and second height levels, wherein the desired microrelief pattern (28) is introduced into the first regions of the embossing pattern, and the second regions of the embossing pattern are developed in the form of the desired negative pattern, M) the embossing pattern with the first and second regions is contiguously metalized (30), and L) the metalized embossing pattern is impinged on with laser radiation, to selectively remove the metalization (30) in the second regions of the embossing pattern through the action of the laser radiation.

Abstract: The invention relates to a value document having an at least partially embedded security element, wherein the value document consists of a security paper having two or more layers of identical or different materials, and wherein the security element is designed as a transfer element and is applied to an internal surface of one of the layers of the security paper and is at least partially covered by at least one further layer of the multilayer security paper.

Abstract: Systems and methods for document and product authentication using a variety of absorption and emission signatures are disclosed. Emission signatures in the form of florescent or phosphorescent coatings, inks and substrates are used for authentication and protection of items such as documents, currency, and secondary packaging for tobacco, luxury goods and pharmaceuticals. Spectrally overlapping absorption and emission materials are combined to provide a unique spectral fingerprint detectable by a scanner.

Abstract: A cash and check automatic depositing apparatus is capable of automatically depositing a bundle of cashes and checks inserted at once. The apparatus includes a bundle insertion opening for allowing a user to deposit or receive therethrough a bundle of cashes and checks, and a bundle separator for separating the banknotes inserted through the bundle insertion opening one by one. The separated banknotes are automatically transferred one by one and verified to check authenticity or abnormality thereof. Further, the banknotes are transferred onto an authentic check transfer path and an authentic cash transfer path to be separately stored in storage cassettes.

Abstract: A set of sheet dividers comprises a first plurality of sheet dividers, each divider comprising a sheet with a tab extending therefrom at a different location and for a first length along the same side as all other dividers in the first plurality; and a second plurality of sheet dividers, each divider comprising a sheet with a tab extending therefrom at a different location and for a second length along the same side as all other dividers in the second plurality, the second length being shorter than the first length, the second plurality being divided into subsets of dividers having their tabs adjacent one another and overlaid by the tab of a corresponding one of the first plurality of sheet dividers when the subset and corresponding one of the first plurality of sheet dividers are stacked together.

Abstract: Provided is a reflected pattern-printed transparent sheet in which a high reflection intensity of a non-visible light is obtained and in which a transparency in a visible light region is high. The above transparent sheet is a reflected pattern-printed transparent sheet in which non-visible light reflective transparent patterns are printed on a surface of a transparent substrate and which is mounted oppositely to a front face of a medium capable of displaying images, wherein an ink forming the transparent patterns described above contains a non-visible light reflection material; the non-visible light reflection material is a material having a wavelength selection reflectivity to a wavelength in a non-visible light region; and a thickness of the above transparent patterns is 6 to 20 ?m.

Abstract: An information page (1) and method are provided for a security document. The information page includes: an information part (3), and an attachment part (2) for attaching the information part to the security document. In order to make forgery visually detectable, the information part (3) is provided with a unique identifier (5), and the attachment part (2, 2?) is provided with the same unique identifier (5) as the information part (3).

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing a security and/or valuable document containing a polymer layer composite or consisting thereof, said polymer layer composite being formed from a polymer layer partial composite and a polymer cover layer and the polymer layer partial composite and/or the polymer cover layer containing a laser sensitive component, consisting of the followings steps: A) first personalized information is applied to the polymer layer partial composite by means of an inkjet printing method as a colored inkjet printed layer, B) the polymer cover layer is applied to the inkjet printed layer and is joined to the polymer layer partial composite by thermal lamination, and C) second personalized information is inscribed into the polymer layer composite of the security and/or valuable document, obtained in step B), by means of laser engraving. The invention also relates to a security and/or valuable document that can be produced according to said method.

Abstract: Pigment flakes are blended together wherein some are magnetically alignable and exhibit a color shift from a first color to a second color with a change in viewing angle; and some are pigment flakes which exhibit a color shift from the first color to a third color or vice versa with a change in viewing angle, wherein the first, second and third colors are three different colors. The flakes are coated upon a substrate and magnetically alignable flakes are magnetically aligned. The non-magnetically alignable flakes are not aligned by the magnetic field and lie flat upon the substrate they are coated on. By judiciously selecting the angle upon which the magnetic flakes are oriented, an effect is created whereby an observer sees a color shift from a first color to a second or a first color to a third, when orienting the substrate by tilting it at different particular angles. The coated substrate can be used in security applications such as on currency or secure instruments.

Abstract: A method of producing a data carrier with a marking is disclosed. The data carrier includes a laser-markable portion and a beam-modifying portion adjacent the laser-markable portion. The beam-modifying portion has a beam modifying property. The method includes irradiating a laser beam through the beam-modifying portion to allow the beam modifying property thereof to modify at least one beam property to produce a resultant laser beam. This resultant laser beam creates a marking with a visual impression corresponding to the resultant laser beam at the laser-markable portion. The method further includes modifying the beam modifying property of at least a part of the beam-modifying portion through which the laser beam is irradiated for creating the marking so that the exact same resultant beam is difficult to be obtained thereat. A data carrier thereby produced is also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for manufacturing a sheet including a substrate made of at least one polymer material, comprising the following consecutive steps: a) compregnating at least one area of the substrate such as to form at least one area made transparent; b) providing the substrate with at least two security elements, respectively on the front and back of the substrate, said at least two security elements each being at least partially stacked on said at least one area made transparent and being placed in a marked manner in relation to one another.

Abstract: Techniques are described for authenticating security documents having security images that incorporate multiple security features. The techniques may produce robust template matching results in situations of lighting unevenness, even with stronger occluding objects. The techniques may be particularly useful in validating a security document having a security image composed of one or more “virtual” retroreflective images formed over a background of a repeating retroreflective image. The virtual retroreflective images within the security image provide strong signals that may dominate analysis and validation of the background retroreflective image, thereby resulting incorrect authentication. The techniques provide a modified normalized cross-correlation analysis that masks out the strong signals contributed by the additional security features, such as the retroreflective virtual images, while still allowing for fast and efficient template matching to be performed with respect to the background image.

Abstract: A moiré pattern display sheet is defined by a surface, with the surface being configured to be curved. A first layer has a pattern printed thereon. The pattern comprises a series of visual elements in a first row that have been distorted at least in a first direction. At least some of the series of visual elements are printed to approximately follow an arc having a sweep angle associated therewith. A light steering optical layer overlays the first layer. The light steering optical layer comprises a plurality of parallel optical features which each have a width and which change the direction of the light and thereby provide a depth effect of the visual elements to a viewer looking through the light steering optical layer.

Abstract: A security paper for producing security documents, such as bank notes, identity cards or the like, having at least one opening, whereby the opening is produced during papermaking and does not have a sharp limiting edge in the edge area.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and system for creating and utilizing hidden tags on goods, associated labels and/or associated promotional materials related to such goods or to certain services that are only visible through the use of a viewing device.

Abstract: Forms containing a removable hang tag are disclosed. An example form includes a substrate including a first line of weakness defining a central area and a perimeter area. The form includes a second line of weakness in the central area to divide the central area into a first side and a second side. The form includes a third line of weakness formed in the perimeter area to define a sleeve area. The form includes a fourth line of weakness formed in the sleeve area to divide the sleeve area into a first sleeve layer and a second sleeve layer.

Abstract: Print verification is done by scanning the printed copies, thereby forming a stream of scanned images of the specific pages. Digitized images from the stream are then spatially aligned page by page, line by line and pixel (pel) by pixel (pel) with corresponding digitized images in a stream of source images. The source and scanned images are compared to find pel sequences that are different. These differences represent defects in the printed copies.

Abstract: An improved integrated multi-use label and concealed document form. In at least one embodiment of the present disclosure, such a form comprises a first sheet material, a second sheet material, and a third sheet material. The sheet materials are joined together with the first sheet material between the other two sheet materials. Lines of weakness defining at least one multi-use label and concealed document label are cut into the joined together sheet materials.

Abstract: Improvements that prevent tampering of images on identification documents for example identity cards, credit cards and the like, and passports. The document includes a full color image of a person, and a second, full, achromatic image of the person formed underneath and spaced from the color image and in congruence therewith using a laser. The second full image is not visible underneath the first full image during normal viewing of the document, and is only visible upon removal of all or a portion of the first full image. As a result, the document and the image have no outwardly apparent visual difference to the document holder or to a would-be counterfeiter. This provides a covert security feature that is not known or seen until the document is attacked by removing the first full image.

Abstract: There is provided a light-emitting medium by which whether a valuable paper or the like is forged or not can be judged easily and promptly. A light-emitting medium constituting a valuable paper includes a light-emitting image. The light-emitting image is composed of a pattern area formed on a substrate by using a first fluorescent ink containing a first fluorescent material, and a background area formed on the substrate by using a second fluorescent ink containing a second fluorescent material. When UV-A is irradiated, the first fluorescent ink and the second fluorescent ink emit light of colors that are viewed as different colors from each other. In addition, when UV-C is irradiated, the first fluorescent ink and the second fluorescent ink emit light of colors that are viewed as different colors from each other, the colors being different from the colors that are viewed when the UV-A is irradiated.

Abstract: A verifiable/copy-protected document features a combination of nearly identical line-screen patterns for embedding latent images within visually integrated settings. The latent images can be detected for purposes of verification with a matching viewer but are indistinguishable from their visually integrated settings under ordinary viewing conditions. The line-screen patterns, which can be incorporated into document artwork, are printed at certain combinations of line frequencies and print densities so that the line-screen patterns digitally reproduce as a largely undifferentiated solid tint.

Abstract: A device comprising a laminate (2) comprising at least two layers (31, 32, 33, 34, 35) and a plurality of electronic components (5, 6, 7, 8) disposed between two layers. At least one of the layers (31, 34) supports conductive tracks (10, 11) arranged to connect electronic components.

Abstract: An optical structure comprising first and second opposite outside faces, at least a first interface comprising a first screen of microreliefs and arranged in such a manner that travel through the first interface from the first outside face towards the second outside face, passes from a first medium having a first refractive index to a second medium having a second refractive index that is greater than the first, and at least one second interface comprising a second screen of microreliefs and arranged in such a manner that travel through the second interface from the first outside face towards the second outside face, passes from a third medium having a third refractive index to a fourth medium having a fourth refractive index less than the third.

Abstract: A printed article is disclosed having a light transmissive substrate having a reverse printed region on a surface thereof in the form of a plurality of very closely spaced printed lines or regions. The printed regions and spaces therebetween are subsequently flood coated with special effect ink such as optically variable ink wherein the ink particle size is on average greater than the gap between reverse printed regions. The image is viewed from the non-printed side of the substrate and very fine lines of the special effect flood coated special effect ink appear as very clear sharp lines having a fine resolution. This eliminates the typical jagged edges that would otherwise be seen if the inked region was not present. This effect is due to the first printed inked regions or lines forming a mask through which the flood coated ink is seen.

Abstract: Improvements in security devices are provided that are used for authenticating or security applications. The security device includes a first color-shifting layer and a second color-shifting layer, which exhibits different reflective characteristics to the first color-shifting layer. A partial first light absorbing layer is between first surfaces of the first and second color-shifting layers and a second light absorbing layer applied to a second surface of the second color-shifting layer. The color of the partial first absorbing layer is selected to substantially match the color of light reflected at a normal angle of incidence by the combination of the second color-shifting layer and the second absorbing layer.

Abstract: This invention relates generally to a method and apparatus, as implemented by a software program on a computer system, for digitally producing counterfeit-deterring scrambled or encoded indicia images. This method and system are capable of combining a source image with a latent image so the scrambled latent image is visible only when viewed through a special decoder lens. The digital processing allows different latent images to be encoded according to different parameters. Additionally, latent images might be encoded into single component colors of an original visible image, at various angles from each other.

Abstract: A method of defining a glyph font character representing an input binary code includes defining a first portion of a matrix using an input binary code including a plurality of input bits. A second portion of the matrix is defined by performing a transformation on the input binary code so that the second portion of the matrix includes a plurality of transformed bits. A glyph character is derived that corresponds to the matrix. The glyph character is defined by a plurality of components corresponding in location to said bits of said matrix, wherein the components of the glyph character comprise a first component (e.g. a forward slash /) that corresponds to and represents a “1” bit of the matrix and second component (e.g., a backslash \) that corresponds to and represents a “0” bit of the matrix. The transformation operation includes a NOT operation or other logic operation, and includes a shift operation.