Abstract: The present invention relates to improvements in security devices that can be used in various authenticating or security applications, and in particular to an optically variable security device which can be viewed under low light conditions. The security device comprises a light deflection structure having a first side and a second opposing side. A colorshifting layer is applied to the first side of the light deflection structure and a reflection layer is applied to at least a first region of the second side of the light deflection structure so as to provide a strong reflection in a direction substantially parallel to the incident light source when the direction of the incident light is at an angle away from the normal to the security device. The security device has at least one second region in which the reflection layer is absent, said first and second regions defining indicia.

Abstract: A method of forming an optically variable security device is provided. In the method, a photonic crystal material is provided and a process is performed upon the material which causes deformation of the material so as to form a first region (A) for which incident light received by the crystal material is selectively reflected or transmitted to generate a first optically variable effect, and a second region (B) for which incident light received generates an optical effect, different from the first optically variable effect. Corresponding devices having first and second regions are also disclosed.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for magnetically imprinting indicia into a layer on an article, the layer comprising a composition in which magnetic or magnetizable particles are suspended. The apparatus comprises: a soft magnetizable 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 magnetizable sheet. The soft magnetizable 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 magnetizable sheet, the magnetic or magnetizable particles are oriented by the magnetic field to display the indicia.

Abstract: A moiré magnification device includes a transparent substrate, the transparent substrate carrying a regular array of micro-focusing elements on a first surface, where the focusing elements define a focal plane, and a corresponding array of microimage element unit cells located in a plane substantially coincident with the focal plane of the focusing elements, where each unit cell includes at least two microimage components. The pitches of the micro-focusing elements and the array of microimage element unit cells and their relative locations are such that the array of micro-focusing elements cooperates with the array of microimage element unit cells to generate magnified versions of the microimage components due to the moiré effect.

Abstract: This invention is directed to improvements in substrates, such as paper, incorporating a security device, and to documents made therefrom. The security substrate comprises at least one elongate security device, which security device has a series of first regions exposed at a series of windows formed in at least a first surface of the substrate and a series of second regions covered by the substrate at bridges formed between the windows in the first surface of the substrate. Each of the first regions is provided with a first security feature which is substantially of the same appearance in each region and is visible in each window when the first surface of the substrate is viewed ire reflected light.

Abstract: A moire magnification device is disclosed, including a transparent substrate carrying: a regular array of micro-focusing elements on a first surface, the focusing elements defining a focal plane; and a corresponding first array of microimage elements located in a plane substantially coincident with the focal plane of the focusing elements. The pitches of the micro-focusing elements and the array of microimage elements and their relative locations are such that the array of micro-focusing elements cooperates with the array of microimage elements to generate magnified version of the microimage elements due to the moire effect. Along at least one axis across at least a first region of the device, the pitch between the microimage elements and/or between the micro-focusing elements continuously varies across the respective array(s), whereby the moire effect causes different degrees of magnification of the image elements to occur.

Abstract: A security device comprises two or more regions (1, 2). Each region (1, 2) contains a material or combination of materials wherein the two or more regions exhibit substantially the same visible appearance under first viewing conditions and different visible appearances under second viewing conditions, the second viewing conditions. The second viewing conditions comprise a combination of a) visible light and b) substantially any UV wavelength.

Abstract: A security element is provided for a document of value. The security element includes an array of apertures through at least a portion of the document of value, the arrangement of apertures relative to one another forming an observable data item. The array of apertures includes apertures of at least two different shapes or orientations, the occurrence of the different shapes or orientations within the array representing an encoded data item. Also provided is a method of manufacturing a security element on a document of value, including: obtaining a first data item and generating an aperture array template; obtaining a second data item and encoding the second data item within the aperture array template; and perforating at least a portion of the security document according to the encoded aperture array template.

Abstract: A security document is provided comprising a first RFID tag readable only within a first range, and a second RFID tag readable within a second range, the first RFID tag containing data pertaining to the owner of the security document and an identification code, and the second RFID tag containing the same or a related identification code, and wherein the second range is longer than the first range. Also provided is a method and system for controlling access to a region, each person seeking access carrying a detectable unique identifier.

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

Abstract: An optically variable security device comprises a photonic crystal which, upon receipt of incident light, generates a first optical effect, and which, when the device is subjected-to-an external stimulus, generates a second optical effect that is different from the first optical effect. At least one of the first and second optical effects is an optically variable effect observable over a set of directions. The optically variable effect is caused by the light being selectively reflected or transmitted by the crystal.

Abstract: The present invention is concerned with providing security substrates, and documents made therefrom, such as banknotes, with features for visual inspection by members of the public. More specifically the invention relates to a novel security substrate containing at least two elongate security elements for the purposes of public and non-public verification. The security substrate comprises a substrate and at least two elongate security elements each having a width of less than or equal to 6 mm. The security elements are at least partially embedded within the substrate and running substantially parallel to each other with a gap therebetween of no greater than 10 mm. The total cross-directional width of a zone occupied by the two security elements and the gap is less than or equal to 18 mm.

Abstract: A moiré magnification device includes a transparent substrate carrying: a regular array of micro-focusing elements, that define a focal plane, on a first surface; a corresponding first array of microimage elements in a first color located in a plane substantially coincident with the focal plane; and a corresponding second array of microimage elements, in a second color, located in a plane substantially coincident with the focal plane. The pitches of the micro-focusing elements and first and second arrays and their relative locations are such that the array of micro-focusing elements cooperates with each of the first and second arrays to generate magnified versions of the microimage elements due to the moiré effect. The magnified version of the first array is viewed against a background defined by the magnified version of the second array, the first array exhibiting movement relative to the background when the device is tilted.

Abstract: An optically variable security device comprises a photonic crystal of which incident light received by the crystal is selectively reflected or transmitted by the crystal to generate a first optically variable effect observable over a first set of directions. Incident light received by the crystal is also selectively reflected or transmitted by the crystal to generate an optical effect observable over a second set of directions that is different from the first set.

Abstract: A security device having a lenticular device that includes an array of lenticular focusing elements located over a corresponding array of sets of image strips such that at different viewing directions, a corresponding image strip from each set is viewed via respective ones of the lenticular focusing elements wherein the image strips are defined at least in part by a relief structure.

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: The present invention relates to improvements in security devices that can be used in various authenticating or security applications, and in particular to an optically variable security device which can be viewed under low light conditions. The security device comprises a light deflection structure having a first side and a second opposing side. A colourshifting layer is applied to the first side of the light deflection structure and a reflection layer is applied to at least a first region of the second side of the light deflection structure so as to provide a strong reflection in a direction substantially parallel to the incident light source when the direction of the incident light is at an angle away from the normal to the security device. The security device has at least one second region in which the reflection layer is absent, said first and second regions defining indicia.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a soil or wear test feature on a document of value is provided. The method comprises designating an area of the document of value for soil or wear testing and measuring an optical characteristic which is affected by the presence of soil or wear of the designated area on the document of value, or of the same area on an identical document of value. The measured optical characteristic is encoded to generate corresponding optical characteristic data and the encoded optical characteristic data is associated with the document of value by means of a machine readable element provided on the document of value.

Abstract: A method of processing a plurality of articles of value within a cash processing center comprising sorting a plurality of articles of value according to one or more predetermined criteria, recording data corresponding to the sorted articles of value, physically associating the sorted articles of value with a radio frequency identification device, and electronically associating the data corresponding to the sorted articles of value with data corresponding to the radio frequency identification device.

Abstract: A security device has a lenticular device including an array of lenticular focusing elements; a corresponding array of image strips sets, the sets having substantially the same periodicity as, or an integral multiple of the periodicity of, the array of focusing elements. The strips are formed and the focusing elements located relative to the strips such that at each of a plurality of viewing angles, a respective one strip from each set is viewed in response to incident light falling on a respective focusing element. The strips are constructed such that the device presents a cyclically repeating sequence of images as the device is viewed at successive viewing angles, the image sequence including a change in form of an image between a first and second form and then a reversal of the sequence back to the first form, the combined image sequences presenting a contiguous variation in the image form.