Abstract: A method and apparatus is described for recording and digitizing intensity profiles (IP) of the papillary structure of the skin with high intensity resolution using sensors S with low intensity resolution. For this purpose, a plurality of digital image signals (DS, DS1, DS2) of an identical subarea e.g. of a fingerprint are recorded, whereby the continuous intensity domain (KI) of the fingerprint is scanned in different intensity resolutions, and/or different portions (A1, A2) of said continuous intensity domain (KI) are mapped to discrete intensity domains of the single digital image signals (DS, D1, DS2). By the pixelwise combination of all digital image signals (DS, DS1, DS2), a digital fingerprint image signal (PS) is finally produced whose discrete intensity domain (DI) represents a larger portion of the continuous intensity domain (KI) of the fingerprint and/or has a higher resolution intensity than each single one of the digital image signals (DS, DS1, DS2).

Abstract: The invention relates to a data carrier into which, by a laser beam, identifiers (20, 22) are introduced in the form of patterns, letters, numbers and/or images that are visible due to local changes in the optical properties of the data carrier, effected by the laser beam and resulting from material transformations. According to the present invention, the data carrier comprises a laser-sensitive recording layer (26) that is transparent in the visible spectral range and that is provided with a surface relief in the form of a lens grid (28). The identifiers are introduced with the laser beam from different directions through the lens grid (28) into the recording layer (26) and are perceptible when later viewed from those same directions. The data carrier is transparent at least in the area of the introduced identifiers (20, 22).

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for testing the authenticity of documents, in particular bank notes, documents of value or security documents, by authenticity criteria. To increase the reliability of authenticity testing of documents, at least two different authenticity classes each with one or more authenticity criteria are provided, the individual authenticity classes differing in at least one authenticity criterion. An authenticity class is selected from the different authenticity classes and the document tested by the authenticity criteria of the selected authenticity class. The document is assigned the selected authenticity class if the document meets the authenticity criteria thereof. This obtains higher reliability of authenticity testing since this method makes it possible to determine those documents that meet higher authenticity requirements, i.e. stricter authenticity criteria, than the other documents and are therefore authentic with higher probability.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for canceling, in particular destroying, sheet material, in particular bank notes. The apparatus includes at least one canceling means to which the sheet material to be canceled is fed, in which the fed sheet material is canceled, in particular destroyed, and from which the canceled sheet material is discharged. The apparatus also includes at least one supervising means for monitoring the sheet material being discharged or having been discharged from said canceling means. For improved monitoring of the cancellation of sheet material, in particular with respect to malfunctions, there is provided at least one monitoring means for monitoring the fed sheet material. The fed sheet material is compared to the sheet material being discharged or having been discharged in an evaluation means.

Abstract: The invention relates to a printed value document having at least one luminescent substance.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a device for processing monetary units such as banknotes or coins, in which the monetary unit are conveyed from an input compartment in each case to one of a plurality of output compartments as a function of predefined sorting criteria. In order to widen the range of application of banknote sorting machines, a control device for the processing apparatus is provided, which control device is configured to be able to output in each case a predefined number of monetary units of a plurality of different denominations into at least some of the output compartments in order to process these monetary units in an individualized fashion. In comparison to the previously predominantly manually executed individualized processing, the solution according to the invention permits rapid and reliable individualized processing of cash supported by automatic means.

Abstract: A transport apparatus for transporting flat, rectangular sheet material, in particular sheet-shaped value documents such as bank notes, comprises a distributing element reciprocating between at least two positions, or at least two distributing elements reciprocating between two positions, the distributing element or elements moving delivered sheets of the sheet material alternatively or alternatingly into at least two removal positions, and at least one removal device for carrying off the sheets out of the removal positions in removal directions associated with the removal positions.

Abstract: The invention relates to a security element for security papers, bank notes, ID cards or the like, having at least one plastic layer on which at least two metal layers of different color are so disposed side by side and on the same side of the plastic layer that the different colors are visually checkable.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a grating image (12) for depicting at least one unscreened halftone image having multiple brightness levels, the grating image exhibiting multiple grating fields (22-1, 22-2, 22-3) that include in each case an electromagnetic-radiation-influencing grating pattern composed of a plurality of grating lines and that, when illuminated, produce in each case an areal region of the halftone image having the same brightness level.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for calibrating a sensor which is configured for checking value documents. The sensor senses measurement signals of a calibration medium which is transported past the sensor. From the sensed measurement signals there are determined reference data of the calibration medium and there is moreover determined a transport property of the calibration medium, e.g. the transport speed or the transport position of the calibration medium. From the transport property there is ascertained at least one correction value which is employed for correcting the sensed reference data of the calibration medium. After the calibration, the corrected reference data are compared with target data of the calibration medium. Optionally there is then effected an adjustment of the sensor using the corrected reference data.

Abstract: In a method for protected execution of a cryptographic calculation in which a key with at least two key parameters is drawn on, an integrity check of the key is performed, in order to prevent a cryptographic attack in which conclusions are drawn as to at least one second key parameter by corrupting at least one first key parameter. A further method serves to determine a key for a cryptographic calculation with at least two key parameters provided for use in the first-mentioned method. A computer program product and a portable data carrier have corresponding features. The methods enable particularly good protection of cryptographic calculations against attacks.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods for storing and accessing user data (48) and configuration data (62) in a mobile device (10) that is connected to a user module (12). According to a first aspect of the invention, the user data (48) is stored in the mobile device (10) at least partially in encrypted form, and is decrypted, in access operations, using a decrypting function (66) of the user module (12). According to a second aspect of the invention, the configuration data (62) is stored in the user module (12). The configuration data (62) indicates whether, or to what extent, an application program (46) is allowed to be executed by the mobile device (10). Security and protection against unauthorised access to user data (48) and application programs (46) in the mobile device (10) are increased by the invention.

Abstract: An apparatus for processing documents of value (12) has a checking device (52) for checking at least one property of a document of value (12) in accordance with at least one predetermined criterion with a sensor device (50), a storage-area housing (56) including a securable storage area in which documents of value (12) recognized as authentic are storable, and has a first opening (54; 88) through which the documents of value (12) can be transported from the processing area (28) to the storage area, a transport device (42) for the singled transport of documents of value (12) along a transport path (48) to the checking device (52) and from there to the storage area, and a processing-area cover (32; 128) has a cover element (36; 128) which can be moved between a close position, in which the processing area (28) is covered by the processing-area cover (32; 128), and an open position, in which an operator is enabled to access the transport path (48).

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for producing a security element (1), to a security element (1) obtainable by the method according to the invention, to transfer materials having the security elements according to the invention, and to objects of value secured by the security elements according to the invention. The security element (1) according to the invention has at least two functional layers (12, 22), whereby each functional layer forms a motif and the motifs are either congruent, or one motif represents a photographic negative of the other motif. In the method according to the invention, the motif of one functional layer (12) is transferred into the other functional layer (22) with the help of an adhesive layer (30).

Abstract: An apparatus and a method for executing a money deposit transaction. During a money deposit transaction the state of the bank notes to be deposited is ascertained, bank notes being in a good state are made available to the depositor after the completion of the money deposit transaction, while bank notes being in an unsatisfactory state are withheld.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus (1) for processing documents of value, in particular bank notes, and a method for operating such an apparatus (1). The apparatus (1) includes several processing zones (2, 3, 4, 5, 11, 12, 13), such as for example an input module (2), an operating module (3) and an output module (4). The apparatus (1) is further set up to detect events in the processing zones (2, 3, 4, 5, 11, 12, 13), which require an intervention of an operator. The processing zones (2, 3, 4, 5, 11, 12, 13) each have at least one cover (6), which, dependent on such a detected event, is automatically opened without intervention of the operator.

Abstract: A method for either or both initializing and personalizing a portable data carrier having an electronic circuit, a data transmission device and a switching device. The method is characterized in that either or both before the initialization and personalization is carried out a bridging of the switching device is formed and after either or both the initialization and personalization has been carried out the bridging is eliminated.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a security element for securing data carriers, having a three-layer thin-film element (20) composed of a reflection layer (22), an absorber layer (26) and a dielectric spacing layer arranged between the reflection layer and the absorber layer (24). According to the present invention, the reflection layer (22), the absorber layer (26) and the dielectric spacing layer (24) are coordinated with each other in such a way that, for viewing from the absorber layer side (26) at all viewing angles (28, 28?) and in the entire visible spectral range, the thin-film element exhibits a very low reflection and appears black.

Abstract: The invention relates to a security element of at least one thin layer element in form of a multi-layer composition, capable of interference. The multi-layer composition, capable of interference, consists of at least one reflecting layer, at least one partially transmitting layer and at least one dielectric layer arranged between these layers. According to the invention the security element comprises in a first region a multitude of gaps in the reflecting layer and in a second region at least one gap or a multitude of gaps in the partially transmitting layer. Herein the second region is arranged at least partially within the first region and the total area of the second region, which is at least partially arranged within the first region, is smaller than the total area of the first region. Therefore the security element displays, when viewed from the partially transmitting layer, a different appearance in top view than in transmission view.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a security element composed of at least one light-transmitting substrate on which a substantially opaque, screened layer composed of grid elements is located. According to the present invention, within the substantially opaque, screened layer composed of grid elements, at least one thin, solid, substantially opaque line is arranged that exhibits the form of at least one alphanumeric character, a graphic or a pattern. Such lines have line widths of at least 0.1 mm to 5 mm, preferably of 0.2 mm to 0.7 mm, particularly preferably of about 0.5 mm. Instead of lines, also extensive regions without any gap may be used, such that the alphanumeric character, pattern or graphic formed is perceptible only in transmitted light, but not in reflected light. The security element thus displays, at least when viewed from the side of the substantially opaque, screened layer, in top view, a different appearance than when looked through.