Abstract: A method and security device, including: a semi-transparent layer exhibiting a first pattern of regions having high optical density and/or raised surface profile relative to layer intervening regions; and a color layer exhibiting a second pattern of elements of at least one color. First and second patterns partially overlap and are configured so the device, appearance varies at different viewing angles. First pattern has color layer following the contours of raised regions. Security device includes: a photosensitive film exhibiting pattern of regions of relatively high and low optical density, the pattern arising from photosensitive film exposure to radiation of a responsive predetermined wavelength from the photosensitive film; and a color layer overlapping the pattern exhibited by photosensitive film, which exhibits increase in optical density upon radiation exposure of a predetermined wavelength and concurrent or subsequent heating.

Abstract: A security paper is provided that includes at least one layer of fibrous substrate and a security deposit thereon. The at least one layer has a main body of a substantially uniform thickness and at least one aperture and/or zone of reduced thickness. The reduced thickness is non-zero and at least 15% less than the thickness of the main body. The security deposit includes at least one element that partially covers the fibrous substrate exposed in the at least one aperture and/or zone of reduced thickness. Therefore, when the at least one layer is split through its thickness into first and second portions, a hole is provided in the first portion and the at least one element is provided on the fibrous substrate of the second portion. A method of manufacturing the security paper and security documents including the security paper are also provided.

Abstract: A security device is provided, including a first transparent layer having an optically variable effect generating relief structure formed in a surface thereof; a reflection enhancing layer extending over the relief structure and following the contour of the relief; and a second transparent layer extending over the reflection enhancing layer, the lateral extent of the second transparent layer being less than the whole area of the security device and corresponding to the lateral extent of the reflection enhancing layer. The first and/or second transparent layer includes one or more optically effective substances such that the appearance of the optically variable effect generated by the relief structure is different when viewed through the first transparent layer compared with when viewed through the second transparent layer, at least under illumination at a wavelength at which at least one of the optically effective substance(s) is visible.

Abstract: A security device including a transparent substrate having opposing first and second surfaces; a first focusing element array disposed on the first surface of the transparent substrate; a second focusing element array disposed on the second surface of the transparent substrate; a first image array disposed on or in the transparent substrate in a first image array plane and configured to co-operate with the first focusing element array to exhibit an optically variable effect when viewed from a first side of the security device; and a second image array disposed on or in the transparent substrate in a second image array plane configured to co-operate with the second focusing element array to exhibit an optically variable effect when viewed from a second side of the security device. At least the first image array is configured to exhibit a first static macroimage when viewed from the second side of the device.

Abstract: A security booklet has a cover foldable about an axis; a set of page sheets stitched together along the axis about which they can be folded to define a set of pages, wherein each page sheet is formed of a single fibrous sheet; wherein one part of one of the page sheets laterally offset from the axis is adhered to the cover, while another part of the one page sheet can be folded separately from the cover and the other pages about the axis.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for magnetically imprinting indicia into a layer on an article, the layer comprising a composition in which magnetic or magnetisable particles are suspended. The apparatus comprises: a soft magnetisable sheet, having an outer surface arranged to face the article in use, and an opposing interior surface; and a permanent magnet, shaped such that its magnetic field contains perturbations giving rise to indicia. The permanent magnet is disposed adjacent the interior surface of the soft magnetisable sheet. The soft magnetisable sheet enhances the perturbations of the magnetic field of the permanent magnet such that when the layer to be imprinted is located adjacent the outer surface of the soft magnetisable sheet, the magnetic or magnetisable particles are oriented by the magnetic field to display the indicia.

Abstract: A secure entry system is provided. The secure entry system includes an authorisation apparatus including a reader for reading data, and a record medium, in which the record medium is presented to the reader, and characterised in that the reader and the record medium or a member connected to the record medium include one or more pairs of visible and/or tactile markings which, only when the record medium is correctly presented to the reader, cooperate with one another in a predetermined manner.

Abstract: The security substrate includes an at least partially light transmitting carrier supporting a security feature and includes at least first and second layers, at least one of which covers an area which is less than a full surface area of the carrier and which at least partially overlaps the other layer. The layers have substantially the same color and texture, and the reflective contrast ratio of the overlapping areas and the non-over lapping areas is less than 20% and the transmissive contrast ratio of the overlapping areas and the non-overlapping areas is greater than 3%.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a security device component includes: providing a photosensitive film including a diazonium compound which decomposes upon exposure to radiation of a predetermined wavelength; providing a dye coupler film comprising one or more dye coupler compositions; exposing elements of the photosensitive film to radiation of the predetermined wavelength in accordance with a predetermined pattern; and contacting at least part of the exposed photosensitive film against at least part of the dye coupler film so as to effect at least partial transfer of the one or more dye coupler compositions to the exposed photosensitive film, whereupon unexposed elements of the photosensitive film exhibit one or more colours such that the photosensitive film exhibits a reproduction of the predetermined pattern.

Abstract: A method is provided of identifying a security document using an identifying device. The identifying device is provided with a capacitance sensor and a second sensor. The method includes capacitively coupling a first element of the security document with the capacitance sensor and obtaining first data from the first element using the capacitance sensor. Second data is also obtained from the security document using the second sensor. Output data is then generated based upon the first and second data. A corresponding device and system are also presented.

Abstract: A method of forming a security document, comprises providing a thread comprising at least one region of heat-transformable material, this material having an optical effect which is transformable in response to applied heat. The thread is integrated with a document substrate material during a substrate forming process, so as to produce a security document substrate having at least one windowed region in which the thread is exposed at the substrate surface, and at least one bridge region in which the thread is not exposed. A patterned heat process is then applied, causing a structural modification in the heat-transformable layer of the thread so as to produce an observable optical effect representative of the heat pattern at one or more predetermined positions with respect to one or more of the said windowed region or bridge region. Security documents bearing threads with such optically transformable materials are also disclosed.

Abstract: High frequency currents may be rectified by means of a printable diode comprising a first and a second electrode, between which a semiconducting layer comprising semiconducting particles embedded in an inert matrix, and a conducting layer comprising conducting particles embedded in an inert matrix are arranged.

Abstract: A security element including substrate on which is disposed: in first area, a first optically variable device including a diffractive or reflective relief structure and reflection enhancing material following contours of relief structure; and, in second area, a second optically variable device including an iridescent amplitude interference material. First optically variable device is constituted by a plurality of sub-areas arranged in cyclically repeating sequence along predetermined direction of the security element, the plurality of sub-areas collectively forming first area.

Abstract: The invention relates to improvements in substrates and in particular to new substrates having magnetic and visual security features, which provide security against imitation. A security substrate comprising a transparent polymer carrier layer bearing indicia formed from a plurality of opaque and non-opaque regions and a transparent magnetic layer supported by the carrier layer containing a distribution of particles of a hard magnetic material of a size and distributed in a concentration at which the magnetic layer remains transparent.

Abstract: A lenticular device includes an array of lenticular focusing elements located over a corresponding array of pairs of image strips such that, in a first viewing direction, a first image strip from each pair is viewed by respective ones of the lenticular focusing elements and, in a second viewing direction, different from the first, a second image strip from each pair is viewed by respective ones of the lenticular focusing elements, One of each pair of image strips has portions defining a first image in a first color and a second image in a second color respectively, and the other of each pair of image strips has portions defining the first image in the second color and the second image in the first color respectively, whereby on tilting the device, a color switch is observed between the first and second images.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a pattern on a substrate web includes providing a production tool having a surface relief structure of elevations and depressions. The elevations correspond to a desired pattern. A curable material is applied to the elevations. The material is brought into contact with a substrate web at a first location. The substrate web and surface relief structure are transported together in contact from the first location to a second location spaced from one another along the transport direction of the substrate web. The substrate web is separated from the surface relief structure at the second location whereupon the material forming the pattern is affixed to and carried by the substrate web. The material is cured by exposure to a curing energy source, either between the first and second locations and/or after the substrate web has been separated from the surface relief structure at the second location.

Abstract: A security device is disclosed having a region of piezochromic material and an integrated relief structure. The security device is arranged such that when a stress is generated in the piezochromic material and relief structure, an optical effect is generated in the piezochromic material.

Abstract: A security device is presented, including: an array of focusing elements, each focusing element being adapted to focus light in at least two orthogonal directions, the focusing elements being arranged on a regular two-dimensional grid; and an array of elongate image elements overlapping the array of focusing elements, configured such that each focusing element can direct light from any one of a respective set of at least two elongate image elements to the viewer, in dependence on the viewing angle. In a first region of the security device, the elongate image elements extend along a first direction, and in a second region of the security device, the elongate image elements extend along a second direction which is different to the first direction.

Abstract: A security device has: an array of focusing elements on a grid; and an array of image elements overlapping the focusing elements array and arranged based on a repeating unit cell defining image element positions. The unit cell periodicity is substantially the same as the grid's. Each position is assigned to carry an image element of a respective corresponding image. Dependent on angle, the focusing elements array directs light from selected positions, as the device is tilted different ones of the respective images are displayed by the elements at the selected positions in combination, sequentially. Each unit cell centre area, larger than each outer area, is assigned to carry element(s) of a corresponding centre image, the outer areas assigned to carry element(s) of other respective images, such that the range of viewing angles over which the centre image is displayed is greater than that over which each other image is.

Abstract: A security device comprises a transparent, coloured element in a first region of the device and in a surface of which a first optically variable effect generating relief structure is formed. A reflection enhancing layer extends over the first optically variable effect generating relief microstructure and follows the contour of the relief, the reflection enhancing layer also being provided in a second region of the device laterally offset from the first region.