Abstract: The present invention relates to a solid marking composition as writing means in a writing instrument. The solid, marking composition comprises a solid matrix containing at least one type of optically variable interference pigment flakes. The solid marking composition provides a document or article with a copy and counterfeit protection feature, and is preferably used in a writing instrument for applying hand-written anti-counterfeit markings and signatures.

Abstract: The invention relates to optically variable pigments (10) having a color shift between two distinct colours of any of the known designs. The pigments having incorporated a totally reflecting layer made by physical vapour deposition from aluminum alloy (11). This pigment exhibits excellent chromaticity, corrosion resistance, particularly in any kind of coating composition or printing ink and especially when water is present.

Abstract: The invention describes luminescent optically variable pigments (OVP), methods for obtaining such pigments, as well as the use of such pigments as security elements in inks, coatings and articles. The luminescence centers are preferably incorporated into the dielectric material of the OVP's optical <i>Fabry-Perot<\i> resonance cavity, allowing for the machine-discrimination of luminescent OVP from simple mixtures of luminescents and non-luminescent OVP.

Abstract: An ink composition containing at least two different types of optically variable pigments which produce a film or coating having a viewing angle dependent color shift.

Abstract: The present invention relates to coating compositions, preferably printing inks for security applications comprising at least one organic resin, at least one pigment and optionally at least one organic solvent. Said pigment comprises glass ceramic composite particles, containing at least one crystalline particle embedded in a glass matrix. Said glass ceramic particles have a particle size in the range of between 0.1 &mgr;m to 50 &mgr;m. Preferably active ions selected from the group of the rare-earth elements are incorporated into the crystalline phase of the composite to provide the glass ceramics with luminescent up- and down- converting characteristics. Glass ceramic luminescent have excellent physical and chemical stability. The glass matrix permits as well the stabilisation of the photophysically interesting halide host crystals which have low phonon energies. Such materials provide unusual excitation and emission properties.

Abstract: The present invention relates to inorganic particles comprising at least two chemical elements in a predefined and analytically identifiable ratio. These particles are used as a marking means incorporated into or applied onto any desired article. They provide a high security potential against counterfeiting since the analysis depend on a combination of spatial as well as of chemical information. In a first step the information containing particle has to be localized by scanning electron microscopy and in a second step the ratio of elements is analysed using energy—or wavelength—dispersive X-ray analysis (SEM/EDX).

Abstract: Device for a drive for storage media for the generation of at least one index pulse per revolution of a rotating element with a generator, which, during operation, for each revolution of the rotating component, generates at least one signal pulse that alternates once between two polarities, and with an evaluating circuit activated by these alternating signal pulses to generate the index pulses at its output. The evaluating circuit includes a comparator with asymmetrical hysteresis with two inputs and one output, between the two inputs of which comparator the output signal of the generator lies, and the hysteresis of which is tuned to the generator output signal such that the comparator output sharply changes from a first to a second potential when the amplitude of the signal pulse at a preset polarity exceeds a preset switching voltage value, and sharply returns from the second to the first potential when the signal pulse passes through its zero crossing from the preset to the opposite polarity.

Abstract: To manufacture tubes having a wear-resistant inside coating, such as gun barrels, hard material layers are deposited on the barrel and the layers are strain-hardened in their surface area by at least the ratio of the area by which the surface area is reduced by compression divided by the surface area of 0.001 (.DELTA.F/F=1.10.sup.-3) or reducing the area of the layer by 0.1%.