Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for determining the authenticity of secured documents which include an authentication element of the type which, when excited with radiation of a specific excitation wavelength, emits radiation which can be detected by a detection unit and evaluated by an evaluating unit. The intensity profile of the emitted radiation is determined in a specified wavelength range over a predetermined measuring period after excitation and analyzed to determine authenticity of the secured document.

Abstract: The invention relates to a returnable package provided with at least one deposit mark, a method for producing said returnable package provided with at least one deposit mark (12) and a method for implementing a returnable package system. The inventive method for implementing the returnable package system consists of providing a recyclable object with at least a first irremovable safety sign (14) and in applying at least one another irremovable safety sign to the object which is provided with at least the first irremovable safety sign (14) before, during and/or after the introduction of a product into said returnable object. The issue of the other safety sign is predefined by a command which is inaccessible for the producer of the returnable package (11). Afterwards, the returnable value for a returnable mark (12) is generated by the combination of at least said first and other safety sign (14, 16).

Abstract: The invention refers to a method and device for identification and authentication of an object by means of coded information applied to the object. The function of said method and device is based on the principle of a laser scanner comprising two photoelectric detectors provided with decoding devices. In a first measuring channel and in classical manner an open coding in the form of a barcode is registered based on the different reflection/absorption of light at dark and light spots. In a second measuring channel the coded safety information applied on the same object is detected. By preference, the latter information is applied in form of luminescent safety pigments/coloring substances. By means of the source of light of the barcode scanner said safety pigments/coloring substances are excited at a defined optical wave length and show a specific luminescence in another wave length band. By preference, the detector device of the second measuring channel is provided with a wave length selecting element.

Abstract: A manually controlled sensor for authenticity identification of luminescent identification features on documents is described, in which the identification feature is illuminated with an excitation wavelength and may respond at a different wavelength, with the response wavelength being detected and evaluated by a radiation receiver. In order to improve the sensitivity and to comply with the safety at work regulations, a focused beam (31, 32), which is emitted from a beam source (1), is converted by focusing optics (2, 3) in such a manner that a scanning bar (22), which is approximately in the form of a line, is projected on the surface of the object (5) to be investigated, which causes the identification region (21) which is arranged on the object (5) to fluoresce in a luminescent manner in at least one subregion, and the luminescence signal produced in this way is passed via detection optics (9, 9′, 10) to an evaluation unit (11), which evaluates the luminescence signal.

Abstract: A manually controlled sensor for authenticity identification of luminescent identification features on documents is described, in which the identification feature is illuminated with an excitation wavelength and may respond at a different wavelength, with the response wavelength being detected and evaluated by a radiation receiver. In order to improve the sensitivity and to comply with the safety at work regulations, a focused beam (31, 32), which is emitted from a beam source (1), is converted by focusing optics (2, 3) in such a manner that a scanning bar (22), which is approximately in the form of a line, is projected on the surface of the object (5) to be investigated, which causes the identification region (21) which is arranged on the object (5) to fluoresce in a luminescent manner in at least one subregion, and the luminescence signal produced in this way is passed via detection optics (9, 9′, 10) to an evaluation unit (11), which evaluates the luminescence signal.

Abstract: The present invention provides a secured document including a composition capable of anti-Stokes fluorescence containing an ion capable of absorption of electromagnetic radiation, an ion capable of emitting electromagnetic radiation, and a matrix composition comprising gadolinium, yttrium, lanthanum, and thulium, wherein the wavelength of the absorbed electromagnetic radiation is shorter than the wavelength of the emitted of the absorbed electromagnetic radiation, and wherein the concentrations of the absorbing and emitting ions are adjusted to achieve concentration quenching of anti-Stokes luminescence.

Abstract: A manually controlled sensor for authenticity identification of luminescent identification features on documents is described, in which the identification feature is illuminated with an excitation wavelength and may respond at a different wavelength, with the response wavelength being detected and evaluated by a radiation receiver. In order to improve the sensitivity and to comply with the safety at work regulations, a focused beam (31, 32), which is emitted from a beam source (1), is converted by focusing optics (2, 3) in such a manner that a scanning bar (22), which is approximately in the form of a line, is projected on the surface of the object (5) to be investigated, which causes the identification region (21) which is arranged on the object (5) to fluoresce in a luminescent manner in at least one subregion, and the luminescence signal produced in this way is passed via detection optics (9, 9′, 10) to an evaluation unit (11), which evaluates the luminescence signal.

Abstract: The present invention provides a secured document including a composition capable of anti-Stokes fluorescence containing an ion capable of absorption of electromagnetic radiation, an ion capable of emitting electromagnetic radiation, and a matrix composition comprising gadolinium, yttrium, lanthanum, and luetium, wherein the wavelength of the emitted electromagnetic radiation is shorter than the wavelength of the absorbed electromagnetic radiation, and wherein the concentrations of the absorbing and emitting ions are adjusted to achieve concentration quenching of anti-Stokes luminescence.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for determining the authenticity of secured documents which include an authentication element of the type which, when excited with radiation of a specific excitation wavelength, emits radiation which can be detected by a detection unit and evaluated by an evaluating unit. The intensity profile of the emitted radiation is determined in a specified wavelength range over a predetermined measuring period after excitation and analyzed to determine authenticity of the secured document.