Abstract: A method of authenticating a product by taking an image of the product and comparing the image with a reference image of a genuine product taken previously to determine if the products in the two images are the same. The two images are captured under substantially similar conditions so that the two images are as similar as possible prior to the comparison. The two images are processed in order to calculate for each of them a list of significant points. The significant points are compared to determine a degree of correspondence between the significant points. An answer is output indicating the authenticity of the product based on the degree of correspondence. Some of the matching significant points may be used to define a common coordinate system for the two images. The two lists of significant points may be compared in this common coordinate system.

Abstract: Method for authenticating a timepiece including applying at least one external excitation to said timepiece using an external device, measuring acoustic vibrations at least one of emitted and absorbed inside the timepiece to obtain an electrical signal representative of the measured acoustic vibrations, wherein a magnitude of the electrical signal represents magnitude information of the measured acoustic vibrations as a function of time, comparing the magnitude information with at least one reference magnitude information, and determining an authenticity of the timepiece based on the comparing.

Abstract: Disclosed is a substrate which has thereon a marking or layer comprising a cured chiral liquid crystal precursor composition which does not contain any salt that would change the position of a selective reflection band exhibited by the cured composition. A modifying resin made from one or more polymerizable monomers comprising an average of at least one ether functionali typer polymerizable group is disposed between the substrate and the marking or layer and in contact with the marking or layer in one or more areas thereof. The modifying resin changes the position of a selective reflection band exhibited by the cured chiral liquid crystal precursor composition on the substrate in the one or more areas.

Abstract: Disclosed is a substrate which has thereon a marking or layer comprising a salt-free cured chiral liquid crystal precursor composition which comprises one or more nematic compounds A and one or more chiral dopant compounds B which are capable of giving rise to a cholesteric state of the chiral liquid crystal precursor composition and are of formula (I) as set forth herein. A modifying resin made from one or more polymerizable monomers comprising an average of at least one ether functionality per polymerizable group is disposed between the substrate and the marking or layer and in contact with the marking or layer in one or more areas thereof. The modifying resin changes the position of a selective reflection band exhibited by the cured chiral liquid crystal precursor composition on the substrate in the one or more areas.

Abstract: Disclosed are chiral dopants of general formula (I) below as well as uses thereof involving chiral liquid crystal polymers and markings comprising these polymers: wherein R1, R2, R3, R4, A1 and A2, m, n, o and p are as defined in the claims.

Abstract: Decoding or encoding information in a two-dimensional barcode, the barcode comprising an orientation pattern and a payload data pattern both being compiled of first and second type elements. The decoding or encoding involves a two-dimensional transformation applying at least to the payload data pattern in connection with second information that forms together with first information the information encoded in the two-dimensional barcode.

Abstract: The present invention is related to the filed of optically variable security elements comprising a region based on a single cured ink comprising a cholesteric liquid crystal polymer, said region having at least two, preferably at least three, patterns exhibiting, at at least one viewing angle, a different CIE (1976) color index parameter and/or a different position of the selective reflection band for protecting security documents against counterfeiting and/or illegal reproduction.

Abstract: The present invention describes a method for marking an object (18), the object (18) having a surface of a conductive material. The method comprises a step of applying an electric spark to the surface such that the material is at least one of partially melted and partially ablated by the electric spark, thereby forming a pattern on the object (18). Further, the present application relates to a marking system (10) for marking an object (18) using a spark generator (12) having a counter electrode (14) and a connector (16) for electrically connecting the spark generator (12) to the surface of the object (18) to be marked. Further, the present application relates to an authenticating system for authenticating or identifying an object (18) marked by the above described method for marking the object (18).

Abstract: A method of providing a mark to a case of a cartridge of ammunition. The mark includes at least one sub-mark and is suitable for identification and/or for tracking of the cartridge. At least one indenter selectively radially indents a circumferential surface of a bottom of the case, thereby forming the at least one sub-mark.

Abstract: The present invention is related to a security element comprising a pattern of at least three layers, wherein a first layer comprises a first material which is capable of interacting with a first electromagnetic radiation but does not interact with a second and third electromagnetic radiation, a second layer comprises a second material which is capable of interacting with said second electromagnetic radiation but does not interact with a first and third electromagnetic radiation, and a third layer comprising a third material which is capable of interacting with a third electromagnetic radiation but does not interact with a first and second electromagnetic radiation, wherein said pattern provides a visual motion effect when exposed to a sequential illumination with a light source capable of separately emitting at least said first, second and third electromagnetic radiation.

Abstract: A hand-held device is described for authenticating a marking on an object, said marking exhibiting a viewing-angle dependent light reflection spectrum, said device comprising: —an imager for receiving light from said object and generating image data that include spectrum information, —a marking detector for detecting marking image data associated with said marking in said image data, —a parameter evaluator for determining a value of a predetermined spectrum parameter based on spectrum information of at least a part of said marking image data, —an angle estimator for determining a value of a viewing angle between said imager and said marking associated with a determined value of said spectrum parameter, and—an authenticator arranged for making an authentication decision based on at least two spectrum parameter values and their associated viewing angle values.

Abstract: An optically variable security thread or stripe (T) is provided which could be incorporated into or onto security documents. The security thread or stripe comprises: a) an optically variable layer (1), b) a color constant layer (2) having a color matching the color impression of the optically variable layer at a viewing angle, c) a holographic metallic layer (3) and d) a substrate (4), wherein the optically variable layer, the color constant layer and the holographic metallic layer are at least partially jointly visible from the side of the security thread or stripe comprising the optically variable layer and/or the color constant layer.

Abstract: A security checkpoint for verifying whether a user is an authorized user includes: (a) a one-way mirror for concealingly permitting the automated recordation of data concerning a person at the security checkpoint; and (b) recording equipment for recording the data, the recording equipment being concealed by the one-way mirror; wherein the recorded data is sent to an analysis device for analysis and depending on the result of the analysis of the recorded data, an exit gate moves from a closed to an open position; the security checkpoint also comprising a document scanner to scan a document carried by the person and further comprising a printer to print a stamp on an identity document.

Abstract: Authenticating a mark comprising a marker that emits light under illumination, involving an obtaining of a light spectrum from the mark, the light spectrum comprising values, each value indicating a light intensity of the light emitted from the mark for a corresponding wavelength, an applying of a set of rules onto the values of the light spectrum to obtain a first result indicating whether the mark is authentic or not, an applying of statistical processing onto the values of the light spectrum to obtain a second result indicating whether the mark is authentic or not, and a generating of an output result indicating whether the mark is authentic or not from the first result and the second result.

Abstract: Ink-jet printer and method for supplying ink-jet printer with printing fluid. Device includes first reservoir configured to contain first volume of printing fluid at first level relative to reference plane, supply system structured to force printing fluid towards first reservoir, and second reservoir configured to contain second volume of printing fluid at second level relative to reference plane. Second level is lower than first level by level difference value. A conduit is configured to receive printing fluid from first reservoir and convey printing fluid towards second reservoir, and ejector units are arranged to receive printing fluid from conduit. An ejection plane in which ejector units lie is located at a height relative to reference plane higher than average of first and second levels to generate a back pressure in ejector units. Flowrate of printing fluid inside conduit is greater than a maximum flowrate of printing fluid ejectable from ejector units.

Abstract: Master case tracking mesh for data transmission includes a shipping container for holding items to be transported therein. The shipping container may include a central data storage unit configured to receive data transmitted thereto, and a plurality of electronic tags configured to store data of the items, and further configured to transmit data of the items to the central data storage unit.

Abstract: Scanner, method of scanning and system for scanning that allows detecting decay time characteristics of light emitted by a luminescent marking on an item which is transported, even at high speed, on a distribution/production line. The detection zone of the scanner's light sensor has a shape elongated along a path of the moving item, and the responsivity of the light sensor, within the wavelength range of the emitted luminescence light, is uniform over the detection zone. The drive current, or drive voltage, powering the excitation light source is adapted to deliver the intensity of the excitation light to the marking so that its light sensor can reliably measure the corresponding luminescence light response, and thus accurately determine a corresponding decay time value.

Abstract: The present invention describes a method of providing a mark to a case (13) of a cartridge (1) of ammunition. The mark comprises at least one sub-mark (12) and is suitable for identification or for tracking of the cartridge (1). According to the present invention, at least one scratching means (10) selectively incises a surface of the case (13), thereby forming the at least one sub-mark (12).

Abstract: The present invention relates to the field of the protection of security documents and more particularly to a method and a device for determining the distribution and orientation of platelet-shaped pigment particles over an extended region of an optical effect layer (OEL). The method described herein comprises the steps of a) taking at least one image, under illumination of said extended region of the optical effect layer with collimated light incident from at least one first direction, of reflected light of said extended region of the optical effect layer from at least one second direction, using a telecentric lens-and-camera assembly having the optical axis of the telecentric lens oriented along said second direction, and b) processing the at least one image of said extended region to extract quantitative particle distribution and orientation information.

Abstract: Privacy of information is protected by a method of securing access to information associated with a value item, the method including comparing a security signature and a stored profile, and permitting access to the information associated with the value item if the security signature matches the stored profile. The value item may be a machine readable document or other item of high value. The associated information may be stored in an electronic storage medium attached to the value item, or may be stored in an external database, or both. Permitting access to the associated information may include generating an access code unique to the associated information and to the value item.