Abstract: A copy-resistant document is provided. The document comprises a substrate, a light reflective layer disposed over the substrate, a light diffusive layer disposed over the reflective layer, and bearer information overprinted on the reflective and diffusive layers. The diffusive layer has a diffusive background pattern that segments the reflective layer into a reflective background pattern comprising a plurality of reflective elements that interfere with the bearer information on a copy of the document. As a result, the diffusive background pattern allows the bearer information to become more readable on the document original by providing contrast to the bearer information and reducing the glare from light reflected from the reflective layer, while the reflective background pattern renders the bearer information unreadable on the document copy.

Abstract: Documents for minimizing and detecting fraudulent activity are provided. The document comprises a printable substrate, a first security feature that forms a latent copy-void warning message that visually appears on an electronically printed reproduction of the document original, and a second security feature that forms a latent validation message that visually appears on a digital reproduction of the document original. This arrangement allows a possessor of the printed document reproduction to quickly identify it as a counterfeit by virtue of the presence of the copy-void warning message on the document original, and allows an inspector of a digital document reproduction to quickly identify it as an authentic digital reproduction of the document original by virtue of the presence and exactness of the validation message. The second security feature is at least partially embedded, and can be completely embedded, within the first security feature.

Abstract: A method of verifying a ballot tabulation comprises storing a plurality of different codes respectively corresponding to a plurality of ballots, storing electoral voting information in association with each of the different codes, receiving request to verify that one of the ballots has been tabulated and a code corresponding to the one ballot, recalling the stored electoral voting information corresponding to the received code, and transmitting a tabulation verification of the ballot corresponding to the received code based on the recalled electoral voting information. A method of voting comprises casting an electoral ballot, obtaining a receipt of the cast electoral ballot, acquiring a code from the receipt, electronically transmitting a request to verify tabulation of ballot along with the code, and receiving a tabulation verification of the ballot in response to transmitting the request.

Abstract: Documents for minimizing and detecting fraudulent activity are provided. The document comprises a printable substrate, a first security feature that forms a latent copy-void warning message that visually appears on an electronically printed reproduction of the document original, and a second security feature that forms a latent validation message that visually appears on a digital reproduction of the document original. This arrangement allows a possessor of the printed document reproduction to quickly identify it as a counterfeit by virtue of the presence of the copy-void warning message on the document original, and allows an inspector of a digital document reproduction to quickly identify it as an authentic digital reproduction of the document original by virtue of the presence and exactness of the validation message. The second security feature is at least partially embedded, and can be completely embedded, within the first security feature.

Abstract: A security envelope that allows a mail handler or recipient to inspect its contents for potentially harmful granular/powder substances without ever opening the envelope is provided. The envelope comprises a front see-through window and a rear see-through window that are registered, such that an observer of the envelope can view through the envelope to examine its contents. A security background may, in place of, or in addition to, the rear window, be provided on the inside of the envelope, such that the observer can additionally verify that the envelope was sent from a trusted source. In this case, the security background will be registered with the front window. The security background may be composed of nano-structures that appear as a standard background when viewed with the naked eye, but reveal identifying elements when viewed under magnification.

Abstract: A counterfeit-resistant document comprises a substrate and a nano-pattern of nano-structures disposed on the substrate, wherein the nano-pattern is configured for forming a latent message (e.g., a warning or alert message) that appears on a copy of the document. The nano-pattern forms one of a foreground and a background of the latent message; and another pattern, e.g., a conventional pattern or another nano-pattern, forms the other of the foreground and background of the latent message. The nano-pattern and the other pattern are configured, such that the foreground and background exhibit substantially similar visual densities on an original of the document, and exhibit substantially different visual densities on the copied document. This can be accomplished by forming the nano-pattern with nano-structures (e.g.

Abstract: A counterfeit-resistant document comprises a contrasting layer and a dynamic camouflaging layer. The contrasting layer is highly contrastive and includes a latent message that can be reproduced over a broad range of copy device control settings. The dynamic camouflaging layer is applied over the contrasting layer to suppress the latent message. The visual density of the dynamic camouflaging layer, which comprises a camouflage pattern that is printed in thermochromic ink, inversely varies with temperature. In this manner, the dynamic camouflaging layer is inactivated at room temperatures so that the latent message is suppressed on the original document, and activated at scanning temperatures so that the latent message is exhibited on a reproduction of the original document.

Abstract: A security envelope that allows a mail handler or recipient to inspect its contents for potentially harmful granular/powder substances without ever opening the envelope is provided. The envelope comprises a front see-through window and a rear see-through window that are registered, such that an observer of the envelope can view through the envelope to examine its contents. A security background may, in place of, or in addition to, the rear window, be provided on the inside of the envelope, such that the observer can additionally verify that the envelope was sent from a trusted source. In this case, the security background will be registered with the front window. The security background may be composed of nano-structures that appear as a standard background when viewed with the naked eye, but reveal identifying elements when viewed under magnification.

Abstract: A counterfeit-resistant document comprises a contrasting layer and a dynamic camouflaging layer. The contrasting layer is highly contrastive and includes a latent message that can be reproduced over a broad range of copy device control settings. The dynamic camouflaging layer is applied over the contrasting layer to suppress the latent message. The visual density of the dynamic camouflaging layer, which comprises a camouflage pattern that is printed in thermochromic ink, inversely varies with temperature. In this manner, the dynamic camouflaging layer is inactivated at room temperatures so that the latent message is suppressed on the original document, and activated at scanning temperatures so that the latent message is exhibited on a reproduction of the original document.

Abstract: A counterfeit-resistant document comprises a validation mark with relief markings according to a unique pattern that identifies the source of the document. The source of the document can be identified by detecting the unique pattern on the validation mark of the document, thus verifying the authenticity of the document. The validation mark further comprises a unique chemical signature that identifies the source of the document. The source of the document can be identified by detecting the unique chemical signature on the validation mark of the document, thus further verifying the authenticity of the document.

Abstract: A counterfeit-resistant document comprises a validation mark with a unique chemical signature that identifies the source of the document. The source of the document can be identified by detecting the unique chemical signature on the validation mark of the document, thus verifying the authenticity of the document. The unique chemical signature is applied to the document as ink, so that the validation mark provides information. The validation mark is latent in that the color of the coating matches that of the document, but the directional reflective properties of ink is more uniform than that of the document. In this manner, the letters cannot be readily ascertained by viewing them at an angle perpendicular to the surface of the document, but can be readily ascertained by viewing them at an angle different from that perpendicular to the surface of the document.

Abstract: A document protection system is disclosed which employs a thermochromic pantograph and a validation mark. Also disclosed is a method to print thermochromic pantographs onto a substrate. A thermochromic pantograph according to the present invention has a latent image which is rendered visible when sufficient heat is applied to the document to activate the reactive properties of the thermochromic ink. The latent image could form a warning message such as "STOP" or "ALERT" which would alert recipients that a counterfeit copy has potentially been created. The thermochromic pantograph may also comprise a camouflage background pattern which conceals the printed ink of the latent image. A validation mark preferably has a latent "validation" image which can be visually identified on an original document, but which cannot be accurately reproduced by conventional copying or scanning means, and thus will not be visible on an unauthorized copy or duplicate.

Abstract: A method for producing a validation mark on security paper includes printing the mark on the paper using an ink that has the same color as the paper but which has more uniform directional reflectance than the sheet of paper. That is, the dried ink is a more uniform diffuse reflector than is the paper. When the mark is illuminated by a light source located on one side of the mark, the mark appears lighter than the paper around it when viewed from the same side as the light source, but the mark appears darker than the paper around it when viewed from the side opposite the light source. An exemplary formulation is given.

Abstract: A tamper and counterfeit resistant security maker comprises relief impressions having a plurality of distinct and contrasting relief structures, wherein a first relief structure comprises a background pattern and at least a second relief structure comprises a latent image pattern containing informational content. The relief patterns comprise different optical properties which facilitates the viewing of a latent image pattern at certain angles.

Abstract: The present invention includes a pattern of fine slits formed in the material of document where sensitive information is intended to be printed or imprinted, wherein the slit pattern modifies the tensile strength of the substrate. In addition, the slit pattern modifies the toner or ink permeability of a substrate to facilitate the penetration of the toner or ink printed or imprinted on the surface of document into the substrate. Further, the design of the slit pattern can be coordinated with a latent image pattern to comprise optical properties such that the physical response of a typical duplicating or photocopy device to the validation mark will allow a copy to be easily discerned from an original.

Abstract: An original document includes alphanumeric characters defined by an overprinted reflective layer formed on a complex patterned region, and having graphic or font size, shape and type coordinated to the particular patterns in the patterned region. The coordination of the overprinted reflective layer with the patterned region is such that if the document is electronically scanned or duplicated by xerographic photocopying, the pattern will at least partially obscure the alphanumeric characters so that they can only be read with difficulty, thereby camouflaging the text.

Abstract: A method for producing a validation mark on security paper includes printing the mark on the paper using an ink that has the same color as the paper but which has more uniform directional reflectance than the sheet of paper. That is, the dried ink is a more uniform diffuse reflector than is the paper. When the mark is illuminated by a light source located on one side of the mark, the mark appears lighter than the paper around it when viewed from the same side as the light source, but the mark appears darker than the paper around it when viewed from the side opposite the light source. An exemplary formulation is given.