Abstract: A data carrier, in particular a plastic card, has an authenticity feature (4) introduced thereon, which can be customized during radiation with a high-energy beam. The customizable authenticity features (4) consist of at least one magnetizable component, wherein the customizable authenticity features (4) are magnetically formed. The intensity and/or wavelength of the radiation is selected such that the customizable magnetic authenticity features (4) undergo a localized structural change during irradiation, wherein the magnetizable components of the customizable magnetic authenticity feature (4) are at least partially destroyed. Following the irradiation, the customized magnetic authenticity features (4) form an area of lesser or no magnetic field in the entire image.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for authenticating a diffractive element, e.g., a hologram, on an object or document (2), wherein at least two images of the diffractive element are recorded by means of a portable device (1). The recordings are taken in different spatial orientations of the portable device in relation to the diffractive element. Recording data are created from the images and the associated spatial orientations. The recording data are electronically compared with reference data. The comparison can be performed locally or in a server-based manner.

Abstract: A data carrier having a magnetizable authenticity feature provided in the data carrier, which feature is personalizable under irradiation with a high-energy beam by changing physical and/or chemical properties. A magnetic feature is provided as a further personalizable second-level feature in a functional layer, which feature is based on an opto-magnetic process which permits writing of information, such that macroscopically measurable magnetism is brought about at the irradiated location, for example, by microscopic spin coupling of the metal-organic compounds which are arranged as complexes and give rise to a macroscopically measurable magnetism, based on supramolecular coupling of the spin of a molecule or a molecule structure.

Abstract: A data carrier, in particular a plastic card, has an authenticity feature (4) introduced thereon, which can be customized during radiation with a high-energy beam. The customizable authenticity features (4) consist of at least one magnetizable component, wherein the customizable authenticity features (4) are magnetically formed. The intensity and/or wavelength of the radiation is selected such that the customizable magnetic authenticity features (4) undergo a localized structural change during irradiation, wherein the magnetizable components of the customizable magnetic authenticity feature (4) are at least partially destroyed. Following the irradiation, the customized magnetic authenticity features (4) form an area of lesser or no magnetic field in the entire image.

Abstract: The invention specifies an apparatus for applying a film (7) to a substrate (2) by lamination. This apparatus has a heating device (12, 19), which makes it possible for different regions of the film (7) and/or the substrate (2) to be exposed specifically to different temperatures. It is thus also possible to process substrates or films which contain temperature-sensitive elements, e.g. security elements based on bacteriorhodopsin. For this purpose, the heating device comprises a plurality of heating elements (19) which can be activated separately, and therefore different regions of a heating surface (12) can be subjected specifically to different levels of heating power. In order to compensate for irregularities on the surface of the substrate or of the film, the apparatus may have a flexible mating surface (21) which is arranged opposite the healing surface and can be subjected to pressure pneumatically by way of a pressure chamber (22).

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for authenticating a diffractive element, e.g., a hologram, on an object or document (2), wherein at least two images of the diffractive element are recorded by means of a portable device (1). The recordings are taken in different spatial orientations of the portable device in relation to the diffractive element. Recording data are created from the images and the associated spatial orientations. The recording data are electronically compared with reference data. The comparison can be performed locally or in a server-based manner.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for marking an object (1) during the production thereof, comprising the molding of at least one grating structure (10) on or in the surface of the object (1). To this end, said grating structure has a grating constant which permits observation by the naked eye of the diffraction structures which can be generated by visible light. The at least one grating structure (10) is generated by a molding process of the object (1), in which the mold used is equipped with a negative version of said grating structure. The object (1) at least partially consists of a soft polymer, in particular PVC-P, wherein the molding process is carried out as an injection molding process using an open mold.

Abstract: A method for checking the genuineness of a security feature on a security document. The security feature exhibits an alteration in the visible range when excited by a flash of light. The method comprises taking at least one first image of the unexcited security feature using a mobile telephone camera with an integrated flash function. Then, exciting at least one second image of the security feature using the flash function of the same mobile telephone. Optionally, setting up a wireless link using the telephone function or an Internet function on the mobile telephone, and at least one or both of the images or an authentication function derived from the difference between the two images is/are transmitted to a receiver having a database, the authentication is evaluated and/or the authentication is logged with the receiver.

Abstract: A method for producing bacteriorhodopsin-containing microcapsules is described, which can be optically activated, having a diameter of less than 50 ?m, preferably less than 10 ?m, comprising an enveloping layer, which protects the bacteriorhodopsin from harmful environmental factors, while at the same time preserving the functionality thereof. In doing so, bacteriorhodopsin is suspended in a first step, in the form of PM/BR patches in an aqueous medium having a pH value ranging from 6-9 in the presence of a water-retaining polymer, and said suspension is spray-dried to form a powder, or is dried in an aliphatic solvent using low steam pressure and subsequent dehydration to form a powder. In a second step, the powder obtained in this way is provided with an envelope, which is substantially completely translucent to light in the visible range and made of a polymer and/or a paraffin having a solidification point ranging between 45° C. and 65° C. and/or a carnauba wax having a melting range of 70-90° C.

Abstract: An identification feature for identifying an object comprises at least two identification elements, wherein at least a first identification element thereof is formed by at least one defined, delimited surface with a defined diffractive surface structure that can be recognized through light irradiation in the visual range, and at least one second identification element is provided within an optical detection field, said second identification element at least partially detecting the defined, delimited surface of the first identification element. In a method for identifying the object, the position at which the at least one second identification element is located relative to the at least one first identification element is stored in memory. Further, identification information unique to the at least one second identification element is stored in memory. A depiction of the first identification element is compared to the stored data for the purposes of identification.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing a coating, in regions, on a substrate, said coating being based on a formulation, in the form of an active color-change motif, which contains bacteriorhodopsin color-changing pigment, and to coatings produced using a method of this type and to articles having coatings of this type. Here, the method comprises the following steps: a) printing of the substrate with the formulation, in the form of a motif, containing bacteriorhodopsin color-changing pigment; b) partial drying of the printed substrate; c) optionally repetition of steps a) and/or b); calendering of the printed and partially dried substrate; e) complete drying of the coating.

Abstract: A method for producing images (8) on a substrate (2) with colour bodies thereon, the colour bodies losing a colour effect due to a laser (23) and consisting of dyes or pigments contained in capsules (1). Different colour bodies having at least three different colour effects are on or in the substrate (2). The method includes: (a) producing a colour chart (14), with individual colour effect of individual colour bodies contained as a function of the spatial coordinates thereof on or in the substrate; and (b) spatially resolving radiation, which opens the colour effect of colour bodies of individual capsules and releases dyes by a laser (23) at a single frequency on the basis of the colour chart (14) in order to produce a resultant colour effect. Substrates, like security documents, can be produced this method.

Abstract: A method is described for producing a character, pattern, symbol and/or image (8) on a substrate (2) by way of pigment particles (1) which are arranged thereon and lose their color effect under the action of a laser (23), wherein different pigment particles (1) with at least three different color effects are arranged on and/or in the substrate (2). The invention is distinguished by the following method steps: (a) production of a color chart (14), in which the individual color effect of individual pigment particles (1) or individual clusters of pigment particles is contained as a function of their spatial coordinate on and/or in the substrate (2); (b) spatially resolved irradiation, which changes the color effect of only individual pigment particles (1) or individual clusters of pigment particles, by way of a laser (23) at a single frequency on the basis of the color chart (14) in order to produce a resulting color effect.

Abstract: The invention specifies an apparatus for applying a film (7) to a substrate (2) by lamination. This apparatus has a heating device (12, 19), which makes it possible for different regions of the film (7) and/or the substrate (2) to be exposed specifically to different temperatures. It is thus also possible to process substrates or films which contain temperature-sensitive elements, e.g. security elements based on bacteriorhodopsin. For this purpose, the heating device comprises a plurality of heating elements (19) which can be activated separately, and therefore different regions of a heating surface (12) can be subjected specifically to different levels of heating power. In order to compensate for irregularities on the surface of the substrate or of the film, the apparatus may have a flexible mating surface (21) which is arranged opposite the healing surface and can be subjected to pressure pneumatically by way of a pressure chamber (22).

Abstract: What is described is a method for producing a sign, pattern, symbol and/or image (8) on a substrate (2) with colour bodies arranged on said substrate, said colour bodies losing the colour effect under the influence of a laser (23) and consisting of dyes or pigments contained in capsules (1), wherein different colour bodies (1) having at least three different colour effects are arranged on or in the substrate (2). The invention is characterised by the following method steps: (a) producing a colour chart (14), in which the individual colour effect of individual colour bodies (1) formed from dyes or pigment particles is contained as a function of the spatial coordinates thereof on or in the substrate (2); (b) spatially resolved radiation, which open the colour effect of colour bodies (1) just of individual capsules and release these dyes, by means of an excitation beam of a laser (23) at a single frequency on the basis of the colour chart (14) in order to produce a resultant colour effect.

Abstract: A method for checking the genuineness of a security feature (3), particularly on a security document (1) is disclosed. The appearance of the security feature exhibits an alteration in the visible range when excited by a flash of light. The method is distinguished by the following steps: I. at least one first image of the unexcited security feature (3a) is taken using a mobile telephone (4) which simultaneously has a camera (8) with an integrated flash function (9); II. at least one second image of the security feature (3b) excited using the flash function (9) is taken using the same mobile telephone; and optionally III. a wireless link is set up using the telephone function or an Internet function on the mobile telephone (4), and at least one or both of the images or an authentication function derived from the difference between the two images is/are transmitted to a receiver having a database (12), the authentication is evaluated and/or the authentication is logged with the receiver.

Abstract: A method is described for producing a character, pattern, symbol and/or image (8) on a substrate (2) by way of pigment particles (1) which are arranged thereon and lose their colour effect under the action of a laser (23), wherein different pigment particles (1) with at least three different colour effects are arranged on and/or in the substrate (2). The invention is distinguished by the following method steps: (a) production of a colour chart (14), in which the individual colour effect of individual pigment particles (1) or individual clusters of pigment particles is contained as a function of their spatial coordinate on and/or in the substrate (2); (b) spatially resolved irradiation, which changes the colour effect of only individual pigment particles (1) or individual clusters of pigment particles, by way of a laser (23) at a single frequency on the basis of the colour chart (14) in order to produce a resulting colour effect.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing a coating, in regions, on a substrate, said coating being based on a formulation, in the form of an active colour-change motif, which contains bacteriorhodopsin colour-changing pigment, and to coatings produced using a method of this type and to articles having coatings of this type. Here, the method comprises the following steps: a) printing of the substrate with the formulation, in the form of a motif, containing bacteriorhodopsin colour-changing pigment; b) partial drying of the printed substrate; c) optionally repetition of steps a) and/or b); calendering of the printed and partially dried substrate; e) complete drying of the coating.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for marking an object (1) during the production thereof, comprising the molding of at least one grating structure (10) on or in the surface of the object (1). To this end, said grating structure has a grating constant which permits observation by the naked eye of the diffraction structures which can be generated by visible light. The at least one grating structure (10) is generated by a molding process of the object (1), in which the mold used is equipped with a negative version of said grating structure. The object (1) at least partially consists of a soft polymer, in particular PVC-P, wherein the molding process is carried out as an injection molding process using an open mold.

Abstract: A document has a carrier layer and at least a functional layer. The functional layer is provided with a content of bacteriorhodopsin as color pigment and, when the document is printed generating an essentially irreversible color change in the area of the bacteriorhodopsin by a supply of energy.