Abstract: For personalizing a portable data carrier (1), a selection device (8) of the data carrier (1) analyzes commands (23) which the data carrier (1) receives from a personalization device (20) within the framework of a personalization method. If the commands (23) are recognized by the selection device (8) as belonging to a certain personalization method, the selection device (8) activates that personalization interface (9) of the data carrier (1) that supports said personalization method. The automatic selection of one of a plurality of personalization interfaces (9) installed on the data carrier (1) permits a flexible personalization of the data carrier (1) independently of any proprietary personalization methods.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a security element (20) for security papers, value documents and the like, having a micro-optical moiré magnification arrangement having a motif image that consists of a periodic or at least locally periodic arrangement of a plurality of micromotif elements (28) that is planar or applied on a curved surface, and a periodic or at least locally periodic arrangement of a plurality of microfocusing elements (24) that is planar or applied on a curved surface, for moiré-magnified viewing of the micromotif elements (28) of the motif image, the arrangement of micromotif elements (28) and/or the arrangement of microfocusing elements (24) exhibiting, in the planar case, no symmetry axis in the plane of the arrangement in its periodic or at least locally periodic regions.

Abstract: The invention relates to a data carrier with an optically variable structure having an embossed structure and a coating contrasting with the surface of the data carrier. The embossed structure and the coating are so combined that at least parts of the coating are completely visible upon perpendicular viewing but concealed upon oblique viewing so that a tilt effect arises upon alternate perpendicular and oblique viewing. The coating is executed uniformly and the embossed structure is divided into partial areas where different partial embossed structures are provided.

Abstract: An apparatus for checking the authenticity of bank notes in unprotected areas, has a sensor assembly containing a light source which produces light of a first wavelength with which the bank notes to be checked are illuminated; whereupon one or more feature substances present in and/or on the bank notes produces light of a second wavelength which is detected by the sensor assembly. A control device evaluates data from the sensor assembly about the light of the second wavelength and compares them with reference data to determine the authenticity of the bank notes. The structure and operation of the sensor assembly and/or the control device permit conclusions to be drawn only with difficulty on the feature substance or substances contained in the bank notes.

Abstract: Sensor components having sides facing the sheet material have one or a plurality of front elements which are detachable and replaceable with low effort. So in the case of wear of the sensor fronts, entire sensor components no longer have to be replaced but only individual front elements of the sensor component are replaced. The front elements do not contact the inner area of the housing and the sensitive measuring elements arranged therein. When the front elements are detached from the housing for maintenance, the measuring elements remain dustproof encapsulated in the housing of the sensor component. The front elements preferably have a comb structure which improves the transport of the bank notes at the transition between the sensor components.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a switching device for generating a switch signal, a reading device with the switching device and a method for the communication between a reading device and a transponder (T). The switching device includes an antenna (4), which with the help of an adapter circuit (AN) is adapted to a given resistance, and a measuring bridge (1), which includes two voltage dividers connected in parallel. The resistance acts in one of the voltage dividers and in the case of a change of the resistance the measuring bridge (1) generates the switch signal. This means when a transponder reaches the detection range of a reading device having the switching device, an additional impedance is coupled in, which acts on the measuring bridge (1). This change is recognized and leads to the generation of the switch signal.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for accepting and dispensing or returning bank notes, including a pocket which is dividable by means of a dividing element into two areas for inputting and dispensing or returning bank notes, wherein the dividing element can be moved within the pocket in order to form the two areas, with a clamping element which can be moved within the pocket independently from the dividing element, in order to clamp bank notes disposed in the pocket inside the pocket and to transport them, wherein for clamping bank notes the clamping and transport element is moved in a first direction within the pocket on top of bank notes disposed in the pocket, and transports bank notes to be dispensed or returned out of the area of the dividing element at least for the most part. The dividing element is subsequently moved out of the area of the bank notes disposed in the pocket within the pocket past the clamping and transport element in a second direction that is contrary to the first direction.

Abstract: Value documents including a security element having magnetic material for securing the value documents. Along the security element, for example along a longitudinal direction of the security element, there are disposed one or more magnetic areas and one or more gap areas. The extension of the magnetic areas or the gap areas along the security element is preferably chosen so that the magnetic signals of adjacent magnetization steps interfere constructively with each other when transported past the magnetic sensor.

Abstract: An apparatus for processing documents of value having a checking device for checking documents of value in a processing area, an intermediate repository arranged in an intermediate area for intermediately storing documents of value, a transport device for transporting the documents of value to the intermediate repository, a final storage device for storing documents of value from the intermediate repository, an intermediate-area housing enclosing the intermediate area having a first opening that receives documents of value coming from the checking device, a second opening, through which the documents of value are transportable from the intermediate repository into the final storage area, and an intermediate-area housing element which can be moved back and forth between an open position, which allows access to the intermediate repository, and a close position, which prevents access to the intermediate-area housing, and a locking device for locking the intermediate-area housing element in the close position.

Abstract: An apparatus for optical analysis of at least one value document (12) in a recording area (38) of the apparatus has an illumination device (36) for illuminating the value document (12) in the recording area (38) and possessing at least one surface emitting laser diode (50), a control device (42) for driving the laser diode (50), and a detection device (40) for recording optical radiation from the recording area (38).

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for testing a fingerprint whose reference data are stored in a portable data carrier. The reference data contain at least positions and orientations of minutiae and pores and an orientation vector. According to the invention it is provided that the testing of the fingerprint includes first sensing measuring values stating the actual value of the sensed fingerprint and extracting the minutiae and the pores from said measuring values. Then the reference data of the minutiae and the orientation vector are read from the portable data carrier and the minutiae from the sensed fingerprint compared with the corresponding reference data. Subsequently, the position of the pores relative to the minutiae is transmitted to the portable data carrier and the pores are checked in the portable data carrier.

Abstract: A method as well as a respective checking apparatus for checking a document of value (1), with which the document of value (1) at least in a partial area is illuminated with an intensity (IB) and at different measuring places (2) the intensity (IT) of the light transmitted through the partial area of the document of value (1) and the intensity (IR) of the light reflected by the partial area of the document of value (1) is captured. For eliminating the impact of thickness fluctuations within the document of value and an at the same time simple checking it is provided that the intensities (IT, IR) of the transmitted and reflected light are captured separately, that for each of the different measuring places (2) the sum (IT+IR) of the intensities (IT, IR) of the transmitted and reflected light is calculated, and that the sum (IT+IR) is compared to a predetermined standard value (IS).

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for accepting and dispensing or returning bank notes, including an apparatus having a pocket for accepting and dispensing or returning bank notes, which is dividable by means of a dividing element into two areas for inputting and dispensing or returning bank notes, wherein the dividing element consists of at least two non-interconnected parts which can be moved together within the pocket in order to form the two areas. Each part of the dividing element is movably arranged on a respectively opposite side wall of the pocket, as well as at least one clamping element which is disposed between the parts of the dividing element and can be moved within the pocket independently from the dividing element, in order to clamp bank notes disposed in the pocket inside the pocket.

Abstract: An apparatus for accepting and for outputting documents of value is provided with a checking device for checking the authenticity of fed documents of value, a storage unit, which comprises at least two storages for storing at least two different types of documents of value, so that a document of value of each of the two types, independently of the order of input of the documents of value into the storage unit, can optionally be outputted from the storage unit, a temporary storage unit for a, preferably singled, temporary storage of at least one, preferably at least two checked documents of value, and a transport system, with the help of which documents of value coming from the checking device can be transported to the storage unit, wherein the storage unit is held in a rotatable and/or swiveling fashion between an operating position and an open position in such a way, that in an operating position receiving and/or outputting documents of value is possible, and in the open position the portion of the transport

Abstract: The invention relates to a security element with an optically variable structure, which has an embossed structure and a coating, wherein the embossed structure and the coating are combined such that at least parts of the coating are completely visible upon perpendicular viewing, but are concealed upon oblique viewing. This embossed structure has nonlinear embossed elements, which are combined with the coating such that when changing the viewing direction different pieces of information become visible.

Abstract: Proposed is a method for producing a portable data carrier (100) starting out from a film carrier (10) having disposed on its upper side (14) a contact layout (28), and on its underside (16) a semiconductor circuit (20) connected to the contact layout. The thus prepared film carrier (10) is put into an injection mold (30) where an injection molding process is performed in which a molded body (40) having an outer contour (102) corresponding to a standard specification for the outer dimensions of a portable data carrier is formed on the underside (16) around the semiconductor circuit (20).

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for manufacturing a security paper, for security or value documents, that exhibits at least one through opening (12) having characteristic irregularities (14) in the edge region. According to the present invention, a paper web having thin sites in the form of the outline of the desired shape of the at least one through opening (12) is formed on a paper mold, and the paper web dewatered after sheet formation, the region delimited by the thin sites being removed from the paper web by the occurring forces.

Abstract: The invention relates to a bank note processing machine and a method for recognizing forged bank notes. With the bank note processing machine according to the invention and the method for recognizing forged bank notes according to the invention the starting point is that the bank notes to be checked are compared with comparative data that are derived from authentic bank notes and known forgeries, additional comparative data of new types of forgeries being used and the bank notes to be checked being compared with both the comparative data and the additional comparative data for new types of forgeries, so as to determine whether a forged bank note is present.

Abstract: The invention relates to a security system especially for security documents, wherein a security element is provided in a carrier plane, that under incident light holographically reconstructs a pattern outside the carrier plane, in which concealed information is stored and having a flat transparent verification element which on flat contact with the security element makes the information stored therein visible. The invention further relates to a security element and a verification element for use in the security system and a security document fitted with the security system. The invention additionally relates to an apparatus and a method for reading out the concealed information which is stored holographically in the pattern reconstructed on the security element under incident light.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device for the torque limitation in a machine for processing means of payment. The invention has use as a device for limiting torque in a machine for processing means of payment, wherein the device for the torque limitation includes two elements transmitting a torque, the two elements having magnets which are disposed in the two elements with an angular distribution of the same kind, the magnets connecting the two elements to each other in a non-positive fashion, and the connection of the two elements being disrupted when a maximum transmittable torque is exceeded.