Abstract: A laminated card comprising a substrate and a card base. Carbon containing information such as a bar code is printed on the card base. A non-carbon coloring is applied to the substrate. A sealant is applied over the non-carbon coloring. The substrate is disposed on the card base with the sealant adjacent the card base and with the non-carbon coloring covering the carbon containing information for visually concealing the carbon containing information in this position, the substrate is secured to the card.

Abstract: An identity card is provided with a character set usable as a printing block, whereby the "natural foamability" that laser action brings about in the plastic materials commonly used for identity cards, such as PVC and polycarbonate, is exploited to obtain a relief height sufficient for a clear impression of the characters. The standard total height of the embossed characters relative to the rest of the card surface is reached by an additional deformation of the card body in the embossed character area so as to form flat plateaus underlying the characters.

Abstract: A magnetic card wherein visible patterns are written. A magnetic recording layer is formed on a substrate, a sensitizing layer is formed on the magnetic recording layer, a metallic thin layer is formed on the sensitizing layer, a protective layer is formed on the metallic thin layer, an arrangement of magnetic bars is formed on the protective layer at one region of the magnetic card, and at least one information track is formed on the magnetic recording layer at the other region of the magnetic card. The metallic thin layer and the sensitizing layer are configured such that, upon the application of heat by a localized source, the heated portions of the metallic thin layer are dispersed into the sensitizing layer to produce the visible patterns.

Abstract: A system for providing a personal booklet, such as a passport, with a picture of the face and personal data of the bookholder to thereby provide the booklet holder's identity. The system includes entering a picture of the face of an applicant, the picture being attached to an application form, as a figure image into an image composing device, entering personal data of the applicant entered in the application form as a character image, providing a composite image of the figure and character images, printing the composite image onto a thermal transfer type photosensitive printing paper, transfering the printed composite image onto an image receiving layer coated on a transparent cover sheet bound in the booklet, and sandwiching the image receiving material layer between a supporting sheet bound in the booklet next to the transparent cover sheet and the transparent cover sheet.

Abstract: A credit document with improved protection against forgery comprises a film which is attached to a local portion of a surface of the credit document. The film includes at least one security mark. The security mark comprises a micro-relief structure for optically diffracting incident light. A protection profile in the form of a macro-relief structure is also embossed into the surface of the credit document. The security mark and the protection profile overlap in part. The relief lines of the protection profile macrostructure are bent away from the plane of the surface of the credit document sufficiently to provide visible gloss effects due to the reflection of incident light. When this arrangement is utilized one or more visible breaks in the security mark occur when the security mark is removed from the credit document. In addition, the security mark is so deformed by the protection profile, that the deformation is easily visible if the security mark is attached to a second (i.e. a forged) credit document.

Abstract: An interlaminar sandwich comprises first and second lacquer layers, a diffraction structure embedded between the first and second lacquer layers, a heat activated adhesive layer disposed one one of the lacquer layers, and a transparent stabilization layer disposed over the other lacquer layer, the stabilization layer distributing heat evenly through the interlaminar sandwich so that when heat is applied to the stabilization layer, the adhesive layer will bond the interlaminar sandwich to a substrate. Preferably, the interlaminar sandwich also contains an intermediary layer between the stabilization layer and the first lacquer layer which bonds these layers together. At temperatures below 170.degree. C., the adhesive layer is bonded so intimately to the substrate that the interlaminar sandwich cannot be removed from the substrate without tearing it. At temperatures above 150.degree. C., the lacquer layers soften, thus destroying the diffraction structure.

Abstract: What has been disclosed herein represents an improvement in the existing system whereby identification cards are carried about the person in a manner in which, under the prior art, access to individual identification cards was difficult. The improvement comprises a non-slip finger engaging notch which permits the ready withdrawal of individual cards from card carrying cases without slippage between the fingers and the surface of the card.

Abstract: An identification card of the kind including at least two and usually three resin sheets bonded together, with identification data at an interface between sheets visible through the outermost sheet, which is transparent, and incorporates added anti-tampering protection in the form of a band or other limited area weldment between the sheets usually formed by an ultrasonic weldment; the weldment is clearly visible due to surface distortion caused by it but is not so extensive as to prevent effective viewing of the identification data in its limited area. In a more particularized aspect of the invention, a portion of the identification data is more significant than the remainder of the data and thus more susceptible to being tampered with and the weldments are placed in this susceptible area of the identification data.

Abstract: A method and system for replicating microstructure surface relief patterns, such as diffraction patterns including holograms, by casting. A liquid casting resin is held between a surface relief master of the microstructure to be replicated and a substrate while the resin is hardened by actinic radiation curing. Application of resin to edges and discontinuities of the master is avoided in order to reduce undesirable build-up of resin on these areas of the master. The hardened resin surface relief replica may optionally be coated with a discontinuous graphical pattern of a clear or colored paint that eliminates the effect of the surface relief pattern in the regions so coated.

Abstract: A laminar structure, for example an identity card, comprises a photograph and a supported hologram. A moisture-impermeable barrier layer and an adhesive layer are disposed between the hologram and the photograph, so that the photograph can be secured to the hologram while the former is still wet. The supported hologram, the barrier and adhesive layers and the photograph are sandwiched between first and second sheets. The hologram is sufficiently adhered to the photograph that, if an attempt is made to separate the supported hologram from the photograph, fracture will occur within the hologram or between the hologram and its support sheet, so that at least part of the hologram will remain attached to the photograph, so that it is not possible to detach the hologram from the photograph, leaving the hologram attached to the first sheet, and thus substitute a different photograph in the laminar structure.

Abstract: A transparent overlay that can protect a document from tampering has a transparent cover sheet, a layer of hot-melt adhesive over one surface of the transparent cover sheet, and a polymeric image-receiving layer over the exposed face of said hot-melt adhesive layer. The transparent cover sheet can be a simple thermoplastic film but preferably is retroreflective sheeting which can bear a pattern or legend that is noticeable only when viewed retroreflectively. When the polymeric image-receiving layer is dye-receptive, it can be imaged by using a thermal printing head with a dye-donor element. A preferred polymeric image-receiving layer that is dye-receptive is chlorinated poly(vinylchloride).

Abstract: Non-continuous reflective hologram or diffraction grating devices are provided in various forms for authenticating documents and things, such as those that contain visual information desired to be protected from alteration. Examples of such information include written personal data and photograph on a passport, driver's license, identity card, transportation pass, and the like. The reflective discontinuous hologram or diffraction device is formed in a pattern that both permits viewing the protected information through it and the viewing of an authenticating image or other light pattern reconstructed from it in reflection. The same master hologram or diffraction grating is made into distinct authentication devices by forming replicas thereof that have different patterns of reflective material which form distinct indicia, such as a different alpha-numeric character.

Abstract: A method of producing an IC card in which an IC module is embedded, the method including preparing at least one first resin core sheet having a through hole at a position at which the IC module is to be embedded and at least one second resin core sheet having no hole at a position corresponding to the through hole, disposing adhesive sheet having an area greater than that of the through hole on the first resin core sheet covering the through hole, superposing the first and second resin core sheets with the adhesive sheet therebetween, fitting the IC module into the through hole of the first resin core sheet, heating and pressing the IC module and the resin core sheets to form an integral structure, and applying at least one surface protection sheet to the integral structure to complete the card.

Abstract: An identity card is provided with a character set usable as a printing block, whereby the "natural foamability" that laser action brings about in the plastic materials commonly used for identity cards, such as PVC and polycarbonate, is exploited to obtain a relief height sufficient for a clear impression of the characters. The standard total height of the embossed characters relative to the rest of the card surface is reached by an additional deformation of the card body in the embossed character area so as to form flat underlying the characters.

Abstract: Pre-imaged high resolution transfer foil comprising a carrier having a surface. A releasable hardcoat is disposed on the surface. A vacuum coating is deposited on the hardcoat and an image formed in the vacuum coating.

Abstract: A driver's license is in the form of a rigid plastic card similar to charge cards issued by bank and saving and loan institutions, e.g., Visa and MasterCharge cards. The owner of the driver's license has his or her photograph on the front side of the card in addition to standard identification indicia, such as the driver's license number, name and address. The owner's signature appears on the front or backside of the card, along with a machine and computer readable magnetic tape adapted to store and reveal additional pertinent information relating to the owner. For example, such information may include the owner's social security number, previous traffic citations, credit rating, information relating to automobile insurance, etc. In the preferred embodiment of this invention, a numerical and/or letter code is imprinted on the card to depict the class and type of information available on the magnetic strip.

Abstract: Documents and data, patterns, etc., applied thereto, which are present in the form of a surface relief, in particular in the form of embossed characters, are provided partially in the area of this surface relief with luminescent substance which is testable visibly and by machine. The luminescent substance is introduced either into raised or into depressed areas of the surface relief, so that characteristic features of the surface relief are reflected in its spatial distribution. The data can thus be tested for falsification and at the same time for authenticity in a simple way.

Abstract: A document with an embossed macroscopic structure and acting through optical diffraction is disclosed. The structure, which serves as a security element comprises a plurality of surface portions with predetermined relief structures having spatial frequencies of over 10 lines/mm. Each surface portion is different from directly adjoining surface portions and at least some of the surface portions have a maximum dimension of less than 0.3 mm. To the naked eye, the pattern of surface portions on the document appears as a mesh of dots and lines. However, to an examiner with a magnifying device, the dots and lines appear as numbers, characters or other graphic features.

Abstract: A printed sheet product comprises a thin core having a pair of opposing major planar sides. A plurality of sets of code fields are printed on a first side of the core. Each set of code fields is printed with a numeric code unique to the set. At least a first code field of each code field set is printed with the unique numeric code in at least a bar format. At least a second code field of each code field set is printed with the unique numeric code in at least a numeral format. The second code field of each set is spaced from the first code field of the set. A sheet product further comprises a layer of pressure sensitive adhesive applied to at least part of at least one side of the sheet product directly opposite at least part of at least one of the first and second code fields of each code field set printed on the first side of the core.

Abstract: A method of making a laminated multi-layer data carrier includes laminating a core layer, an intermediate substrate carrying an IC module, electrical contact pads, and electrical leads connecting the IC module to the contact pads, and a cover layer having contact apertures therein together under heat and pressure so that the IC module is pressed into the core layer and protected within the central core of the carrier while the contact pads are pressed outwardly into the apertures of the cover layer so that the contact pads are flush with the surface of the cover layer. Alternative embodiments are described wherein the core layer supports the contact pads in the apertures of the cover layer and where the laminating process is carried out such that the substrate is anchored between the core and cover layers.

Abstract: A method for insertion of active components in chip cards. A card is made with a cavity, whose edges are formed from a material having shape memorization properties. The initial shape of the cavity at ordinary temperature is that of a basin having dimensions for housing an integrated circuit micromodule, with overhanging edges which do not allow the micromodule to go out of the cavity or to be inserted into the cavity. The card is then plastically deformed with the overhanging edges pushed back a sufficient distance and the integrated circuit micromodule is inserted. Finally, the card is heated to a temperature at which its shape memorization effect is displayed, and the plastically deformed edges of the cavity again become elastic and resume their initial overhanging shape.

Abstract: A method of marking an article or substrate with a mark or device which is made visible or is enhanced on exposure to U.V. light which comprises printing onto the article or substrate a photochromic ink containing a photochromic compound which is reversibly converted to a colored form on exposure to U.V. light and reverts to a substantially colorless form in the absence of U.V. light and applying a superficial protective layer to said mark or device which protects the phototochromic compound against degradation by atmospheric moisture and oxygen. In addition the invention includes a security device in the form of a label, document or card which incorporates a mark or device which is partially or wholly invisible in light which does not contain a U.V.

Abstract: A paper token upon which there is printed an indicia in a first ink which contains iron oxide particles and which indicia is overprinted with a second ink not containing magnetic particles. The first and second inks are dissolvable by the same solvent and the two inks are physically bonded together.

Abstract: A plastic card or credit card size has a strip of optical recording material thereon containing microtext. The microtext is either electronically or optically reduced from 5 to 200 times and laid out in miniature pages, arranged in an array on the strip. The strip has a metallic or metal particle layer, giving it a shiny gold or silver coloration, against which the microtext appears dark, or vice-versa.

Abstract: A personal booklet with a picture and personal data of the bookholder, such as a passport for providing the bookholder's identity, comprises transparent and supporting sheets bound in the booklet separately from and adjacent to each other, and an identification data bearing sheet with an image receiving layer formed on a surface thereon. The image receiving layer includes a composite image of the picture and the personal data, and optically readable personal data of the bookholder described by optically readable characters such as font type numbers and/or alphabets. The transparent sheet and the supporting sheet are adhered with adhesive layers to sandwich the identification data bearing sheet therebetween.

Abstract: A releasable self-adhesive film laminate designed for a sealed label or card comprises a pair of transparent films made of a thermoplastic EVA composition mainly comprising about 3 to 18% by weight of vinyl acetate and about 97 to 82% by weight of ethylene formed through a thermoforming process, for example, blow-molding and urging facing inner walls of the molded tubular film to each other, while hot, under pressure. A sealed label or card can be made easily and simply by using the releasable self-adhesive film laminate.

Abstract: The invention relates to a security paper having a security thread embedded therein, running from edge to edge, that is printed with luminescent colors in such a way that they are invisible in normal lighting. The luminescent colors are provided along the security thread in successive overlapping portions which, when the colors are excited, have a length recognizable to the naked eye and show characteristic mixed fluorescences in the overlapping areas.

Abstract: An improved credit card having a clear, unbroken metallized surface with printed graphics thereon which is scratch resistant and a method of making the same are disclosed. The method involves heat transferring a metallized foil to a first surface of a plastic substrate, silk-screen printing over the metallized foil with ultraviolet curable ink, drying the ink with ultraviolet light and overlaminating the printed foil with a clear polyester film coated with a heat-activated adhesive or coating it with an ultraviolet curable varnish which is cured by applying ultraviolet light to the coating. The plastic substrate is in the form of a large sheet from which a plurality of cards are die cut after the printing and application of the transparent film. A magnetic tape is then applied to the back of each card.

Abstract: A security document comprising a flat support; one or more portions having identification codes; and a hologram; which hologram presents reference means along the edge, and a protective coating for preventing the hologram from being removed or damaged.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of making an optically recorded information medium which permits the reduction of the number of the processing steps and the reproduction of the recorded medium at a reasonable cost and in large quantities. The method comprises the steps of preparing a recording medium which comprises a substrate (16), a light reflecting layer (17) and a recording layer (18), recording information by exposing the recording layer to ultraviolet rays, cutting the recording medium to make an information stripe (23), and fixing the information stripe on a supporting plate (24). When the recording layer is exposed, the recording medium is forwarded intermittently for repeating exposure. The supporting plate may preferably be in the form of a rigid card, and a transparent protective film may optionally be provided on the recording layer.

Abstract: A certification identifying medium such as debit card or credit card comprising a substrate preferably made of a paper material, a bar code band printed or layered on the substrate with a material including a magnetic material provided with a specific coercive force and a magnetic record band disposed on the substrate to magnetically record information of the bar code. A mask band made of a non-magnetic material is applied to the substrate to cover at least the bar code band to prevent the visual observation thereof. The bar code band generally comprises a plurality of bar codes which have the specific coercive force different from each other.

Abstract: A transparent-type hologram comprising a transparent hologram-forming layer and a holographic effect-enhancing layer comprising a thin transparent film, the holographic effect-enhancing layer being laminated on the hologram-forming portion of the transparent hologram-forming layer. The holographic effect-enhancing layer has a refractive index different from that of the transparent hologram-forming layer.

Abstract: A magnetic medium for magnetic embossment comprises a main magnetic layer and a high permeability magnetic-metal layer, a nonmagnetic white metal layer and a coloring layer laminated on the main magnetic layer.A magnetic card comprises a card substrate which is nonmagnetic, and a magnetic medium for magnetic embossment disposed on at least a part of the card substrate, which magnetic medium comprises a main magnetic layer and a high permeability magnetic-metal layer, a nonmagnetic white metal layer and a coloring layer laminated on the main magnetic layer.

Abstract: A read and write system for personal information cards employing a laser. Personal information is recorded on an information medium containing both visual images, such as a face image or fingerprint, and laser recorded data. The visual images are created on a piece of photographic material or eye readable laser recording material. The visual image material is adhered to a surface of a wallet-size card. A strip of laser recordable optical data storage material is also adhered to the card. After the strip is put on the card, a laser records personal information indicia on the strip in situ. The strip may be a reflective material of silver particles in a gelatin matrix, in which recording produces spots having a detectable difference in reflectivity. The card may be coated with a transparent protective laminate material. A laser reader and writer may be used in conjunction with the card and a device for moving the card relative to a laser beam for reading or writing information on the card.

Abstract: Holograms, including diffraction gratings, and methods of making them, that reconstruct an image which changes as the hologram is tilted with respect to the viewer and in a manner that images reconstructed from copies made of the hologram in monochromatic light do not have that motion. The hologram is a valuable security device for authenticating documents or objects to which it is attached since it is extremely difficult to duplicate.

Abstract: A strip of optical contrast laser recording material is disposed on the wallet-size card, and has laser written characters recorded thereon. The characters are formed by a plurality of pixels, similar in nature to the dots forming dot matrix characters, except that the pixels themselves are formed of spots. The spots are disposed in a geometric regular array and are usually written one column at a time until a complete pixel is formed. Machine readable and visually readable characters may be combined on a single data strip.

Abstract: In an electronic memory card an IC pellet has a number of electrode pads which are provided on one surface thereof and have a size larger than that of bonding terminals formed in the IC pellet. The IC pellet is received in a storage section of an upper inner core and is adhered on a wiring substrate by an anisotropic conductive adhesive tape. Thus, internal connecting terminals formed on the substrate are electrically connected through portions of the conductive tape to the electrode pads. The wiring substrate is mounted on a lower inner core and is received in a storage section of an intermediate inner core. Films are formed on the multi film structure of the inner core and wiring substrate and contact terminals are so provided in the film and inner core as to be connected to the internal connecting terminals.

Abstract: A multilayer data carrier into which a carrier element supporting an IC module is incorporated comprises a flexible substrate on which contact surfaces are formed which are connected to the IC module via leads. The carrier element is deformed in such a way, when being incorporated into the data carrier, that the IC module, in the finished data carrier, is located in the center of the card protected by cover layers of the card and the contact surfaces are flush with the surface of the card. A method for producing the data carrier comprises laminating a substrate layer carrying an IC-module with its leads and contact pad surfaces on one surface thereof between outer protective layers and with a central core layer such that the IC-module is disposed centrally within the data carrier with the contact surfaces disposed in apertures in one of the outer protective layers flush with the surface of said one layer.

Abstract: An identity document has graphical information printed on a support and including uncoded alphanumerical information which is specific to a holder of the document or to the document. The surface of the support is broken down into a network of macropixels each having a predetermined average light absorption level. Each of the micropixels in turn consists of a dot pattern matrix of micropixels each having a light absorption level selected among at least two predetermined levels and distributed for the average absorption of each of the macropixels to be said predetermined average light absorption level and for constituting a screen which reproduces on a microscopic scale part at least of the uncoded specific information.

Abstract: Thin film optical variable article to be used in a reflection mode having a gold to green color shift with angle for currency authentication and adapted to be carried by a substantially opaque currency sheet which serves as a substrate. The article includes a substantially transparent, optically thick element carrying a subtractive colorant and having first and second surfaces and a multilayer interference coating carried on one of said first and second surfaces. The article is adapted to be carried by the currency sheet so that the coating faces the currency sheet and the colorant carrying element serves as a superstrate facing the incident light. The multilayer interference coating is comprised of a substantially opaque layer of aluminum nearest the substrate, followed by a layer of magnesium fluoride, and then by a layer of chromium having substantial transmission. The colorant has a yellow hue.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a data carrier (identification card, bank card, credit card, etc.) in which information is provided in an inner volume area by means of a laser beam, the information being visible in the form of changes in the optical properties of the carrier material due to an irreversible change in the material caused by the laser beam and to a method for producing the data carrier and for testing it.

Abstract: Information is provided in a multilayer identification card by means of a laser beam. This information is recorded by irreversibly changing (blackening) transparent synthetic material. Synthetic materials which blacken at different intensity values are used for the individual card layers. By controlling the laser beam intensity, information can thus be recorded only in one layer or else simultaneously in several layers. If the layer arrangement, layer materials and recording parameters (intensity, writing width, etc.) are selected appropriately, images can be produced which change their appearance when the viewing angle is changed. The various visual effects which can thereby be otained serve to distinguish the authenticity of the identification card.

Abstract: In order to increase the protection of security documents such as ban notes, etc., against forgery, security threads are embedded in the document which have at least two areas extending in the longitudinal direction of the thread and differing in their physical properties. The thread is preferably a coextruded multicomponent synthetic thread whose individual components contain additives such as dyes or fluorescent substances and/or particles having electrical or magnetic properties. The testing of the authenticity of the security thread is directed toward the presence of these additives and their mutual geometrical distribution in certain areas of the security thread.

Abstract: A security card blank comprises a plurality of superposed layers (5,5',6,7,8,9) including a metallic layer (5,5'). The metallic layer comprises any radiation absorbent, metal, metalloid, or their alloys or derivatives, such as oxides or sulphides. The metallic layer (5,5') is positioned within the card blank and is imageable only under the influence of high intensity radiation to produce a security card. After imaging, at least part of the imaged metallic layer is detectable from outside the card.

Abstract: An identification card having information applied in the form of patterns, letters, numbers and/or images, formed by interruptions in the homogeneity of different colored layer areas arranged superjacently on the identification card. The colored information can be produced by selectively removing the color layers by means of a controlled laser beam or by blurring or other chemical reactions induced by said beam. Thus identification cards can be produced having a high standard of security in spite of the simplicity of their production.

Abstract: There is started from an entirely insulating support (2), of which a part (7, 8) is very thin; a chip (5) of an integrated circuit is arranged so that its metallizations are opposite the holes (4) provided in the thin support behorehand, and the conducting tracks (9) and the contacts with the integrated circuit are obtained in one operation by means of a conducting paste applied by screen printing, which covers the holes and penetrates into them in order to establish a contact with the chip.

Abstract: A process which provides a three-dimensional, light-diffracting pattern comprising a hologram on a surface of a transparent material layer which may be extremely thin and non-self-supporting, and which secures this layer to a document or like substrate, with the pattern-bearing surface facing downwardly (i.e., not exposed), by an adhesive bond having a shear strength greater than that of the transparent layer so that the layer cannot be removed from the surface without being destroyed.

Abstract: An IC card is disclosed, which comprises an IC pellet electrically connected to lead patterns via an anisotropically conductive adhesive layer. The IC pellet is also bonded to a print layer formed on an insulating film. A base sheet and another insulating film are laminated on the insulating film with the IC pellet sealed by resin in an IC pellet accommodation space formed in the base sheet.

Abstract: The multilayer identification card comprises several synthetic layers compounded by the effects of heat and pressure. An inside interface of at least one of these layers exhibits depressions which are filled with the material of the adjacent layer during the laminating process. The adjacent layers are selected in such a way that they are of different transparency. Thus a light and shadow effect is produced in incident light which is reversed in transmitted light.

Abstract: Information is recorded in situ on a wallet-size card by disposing laser recordable material in the card, then recording indicia, in situ, on the material with a laser. At least some of the indicia are microscopic eye readable information, with the rest being machine readable information, with the eye readable information being redundant with at least some of the machine readable information. This visually read information is recorded as characters made up of matrices of nonconnected laser recorded spots. The characters may be alphanumeric characters, or the like. The characters are read with an optical magnifier. A laser beam and light detector may be used to read the digital information by scanning the card with the beam.