Abstract: A breakable seal can be discriminated more easily than the conventional one. The discrimination medium 100 has a cholesteric liquid crystal layer 104, a substrate layer 105, an adhesive layer 102, and a partial peeling layer 103. The discrimination medium 100 has an adhesion strength XA between the adhesive layer 102 and the partial peeling layer 103, an adhesion strength XB between the partial peeling layer 103 and the cholesteric liquid crystal layer 104, and an adhesion strength XC between the cholesteric liquid crystal layer 104 and the substrate layer 105. The relationships XA<XB and XA<XC are satisfied at areas 106, 108, and 110. The relationships XC<XA and XC<XB are satisfied at areas 107 and 109. In the above manner, when the discrimination medium 100 is peeled from the article 101, the discrimination medium 100 is separated into a discrimination medium 116 and a discrimination medium 117.

Abstract: A discrimination medium cannot be easily falsified. Since the visibility of the discrimination medium is unique, the discrimination medium is superior in determination of the authenticity. The discrimination medium is structured such that a cholesteric liquid crystal layer 106 and a multilayer film 103 having plural light transparent films which are laminated and are different from each other in refraction index are laminated. The reflection light reflected by the discrimination medium includes circular polarization lights which are different in polarization direction, and the discrimination medium has unique optical characteristics. A discrimination method using the above unique optical characteristics, an article to be discriminated by the discrimination medium, and a discrimination apparatus using the above unique optical characteristics are provided.

Abstract: A discrimination medium for objects by which counterfeiting can be prevented, authenticity of the article can be easily and reliably determined, and the production cost can be reduced is provided. In the discrimination medium, the support body 31 and the pattern 20 appear to be the same color when viewed from a specific angle (for instance, viewing from the front). On the other hand, when the viewing angle is increased, the color of the pattern 20 composed of a multilayer thin film changes by color shift, whereby the pattern 20 becomes a color different from the support body 31.

Abstract: The present invention provides a discrimination medium A for discriminating the authenticity of an article by providing an optically discriminating mark on the article. A film 20 having a light reflecting layer of a polymer cholesteric liquid crystal having a circular polarization light selectivity for reflecting a specific circular polarization light is fixed to a part of the surface of a support 10. A printed portion is made by printing on the portions other than the film 20 of the support 10 in substantially the same color as that shown when the film 20 is viewed from the front. The discrimination medium A appears to be red at the support 10 and the film 20 when viewed from the front (although the film has a metallic luster), but at a larger viewing angle, the film 20 changes to blue by the blue-shift of the polymer cholesteric liquid crystal so as to exhibit a color different from that of the support 10.

Abstract: A discrimination mark having both a simple authentication function by perceptual recognition and an accurate authentication function by mechanical recognition enabled by using a combination of a mark having an authentication function by perceptual recognition with a substance having a content of a table isotope different from the natural abundance. The S/N ratio can be made large in making a mechanical recognition, so that the authentication by mechanical recognition can be implemented with high accuracy. The substance having a controlled content of a stable isotope different from the natural abundance is a rate one itself and difficult to produce. As a result, this discrimination mark has a high security level.

Abstract: In an identification medium for identifying an authenticity of an object either visually or optically by using an identification device, high polymer cholesteric liquid crystal is applied onto the object, onto a sticker adapted to be affixed to the object or onto a base for hot stamping onto the object, and the high polymer cholesteric liquid crystal is patterned, and/or a graphic representation layer such as a figure and letter is formed under or over the high polymer cholesteric liquid crystal to enhance the aesthetic quality of the identification medium or the object, and improve the capability to identify and prevent forgery.

Abstract: An authenticity identifying film (10) has a reflective film (11) having a circularly polarized light selectivity to reflect at least only either of right-handed circularly polarized light and left-handed circularly polarized light of incident light to produce reflected light. The reflective film (11) is provided with a hologram forming part (11a). The hologram forming part (11a) reflects circularly polarized light of the same circular polarization as that of the reflected light in a direction different from that of the reflected light to form a holographic image. The reflected light reflected by the reflective film (11) and the holographic image formed by the hologram forming part (11a) are detected by detectors disposed at different positions, respectively.

Abstract: In an identification medium for identifying an authenticity of an object either visually or optically by using an identification device, high polymer cholesteric liquid crystal is applied onto the object, onto a sticker adapted to affixed to the object or onto a base for hot stamping onto the object, and the high polymer cholesteric liquid crystal is patterned, and/or a graphic representation layer such as a figure and letter is formed under or over the high polymer cholesteric liquid crystal to enhance the aesthetic quality of the identification medium or the object, and improve the capability to identify and prevent forgery.

Abstract: An authenticity identifying film (10) has a reflective film (11) having a circularly polarized light selectivity to reflect at least only either of right-handed circularly polarized light and left-handed circularly polarized light of incident light to produce reflected light. The reflective film (11) is provided with a hologram forming part (11a). The hologram forming part (11a) reflects circularly polarized light of the same circular polarization as that of the reflected light in a direction different from that of the reflected light to form a holographic image. The reflected light reflected by the reflective film (11) and the holographic image formed by the hologram forming part (11a) are detected by detectors disposed at different positions, respectively.

Abstract: The object to be identified is affixed with an identification medium comprising a reflective layer consisting of a reflective hologram or diffraction grating. The high polymer cholesteric liquid crystal provides an inexpensive identification medium, and the use of the second light receiving unit for providing a reference signal provides a high S/N output signal which is highly distinct and resistant to the contamination of the identification medium. Also, the elimination of the need for expensive optical elements such as beam splitters also contributes to the reduction of cost.

Abstract: Provided is an economical identification system suitable for use on commercial products which is difficult to duplicate, and highly identifiable. The system includes an identification medium having a high-polymer cholesteric liquid crystal material applied thereon. The high-polymer cholesteric liquid crystals selectively reflect a certain wavelength, and this wavelength changes with the change in the incident angle of the light. The liquid crystals also have the property to circularly polarize the reflected light in either sense. By taking advantages of such properties, it is possible to provide a highly identifiable structure which, however, is highly difficult to illicitly duplicate. In particular, by forming the reflective layer of a hologram with high-polymer cholesteric liquid crystals, the hologram can be used as an identification medium which is highly difficult to duplicate but easy to identify with a machine.

Abstract: A large number of magnetic polymer elements are distributed at random in a base material of a object to be checked. Each magnetic polymer element includes an element main body formed of a high-molecular material, such as an acrylic resin, and magnetic metal powder contained therein. The base material is formed mainly of paper, and the magnetic polymer elements are incorporated together with wood pulp fibers in the base material. The elements and the fibers are tangled with one another in three dimensions. Indication data including figures, symbols, etc., such as post position numbers and bet numbers on betting tickets for publicly-managed gambling, are printed on the object.

Abstract: A pulse generating element formed of a switchable magnetic wire is worked so as to have an arcuate shape such that the ratio R/d between the radius of curvature R and diameter d of the wire in a state free from external force ranges from 65 to 95. This is achieved by subjecting a wire of a ferromagnetic material, such as Fe--Co--V, to drawing-bending work. The pulse generating element, which is obtained by cutting the switchable magnetic wire to a predetermined length, is restricted to a substantially straight state by a retaining member, and undergoes a drastic flux reversal when it is subjected to an alternating field.

Abstract: An object to be checked contains a large number of magnetic polymer elements scattered at random. Each of magnetic polymer elements is made up of an element main body formed of a high molecular material, and magnetic metal powder contained in the element main body. The magnetic polymer elements are integrally incorporated in paper and tangled with the wood pulp fibers of the paper three-dimensionally. In the manufacturing process of the object, a processing apparatus magnetically scans the magnetic polymer elements incorporated in the scanning region of the object while moving the scanning region at a predetermined speed, converts a detection signal obtained by the magnetic scan into a cipher code, and records the cipher code in a code indicator section. In the authenticity checking process, the processing apparatus magnetically scans the magnetic polymer elements once again, and a detection signal obtained thereby is collated with the cipher code recorded in the code indicator section.

Abstract: A large number of magnetic polymer elements are distributed at random in a base material of a object to be checked. Each magnetic polymer element includes an element main body formed of a high-molecular material, such as an acrylic resin, and magnetic metal powder contained therein. The base material is formed mainly of paper, and the magnetic polymer elements are incorporated together with wood pulp fibers in the base material. The elements and the fibers are tangled with one another in three dimensions. Indication data including figures, symbols, etc., such as post position numbers and bet numbers on betting tickets for publicly-managed gambling, are printed on the object.

Abstract: Provided is an identification system which is highly effective in identifying the authenticity of an object and extremely difficult to analyze for the purpose of forgery. The object to be identified is affixed with an identification element comprising a reflective layer including a hologram, a diffraction grating or the like, which directs incident light of a prescribed wave length into a plurality of point symmetric directions, and a polarization plane rotating layer which rotates the polarization plane of the light as it passes through the polarization rotating layer. A linearly polarized light is impinged upon the identification element, and is received by a multisegment photodiode arranged in an annular fashion.

Abstract: A number of high-permeability magnetic elements are dispersed in a scanning region of a checking object. A core of a processing apparatus is provided with an exciting coil and a sensor coil. When a bias magnetic field is applied to the core, and the scanning region is passed in the vicinity of a gap, the permeability of the gap varies depending on the density of the magnetic elements, so that a magnetic flux passing through the core changes. A detection signal corresponding to the change of the magnetic flux is detected by means of the sensor coil. This detection signal is converted into a cipher code and then recorded in a code indicator section of the checking object.

Abstract: An object to be checked has a scanning region which contains a large number of magnetic elements scattered at random. Each of the magnetic elements is made up of an element main body formed of a high molecular material, and magnetic metal powder contained in the element main body. A processing apparatus employed for checking whether or not the object is authentic has a magnetic sensor which is made up of a pair of MR elements and a magnet. The MR elements are arranged side by side in the direction in which the scanning region is scanned. In the manufacturing process of the object, a detection signal which is based on variations in the output ratio between the MR elements is produced, with the scanning region of the object being moved. The detection signal is converted into a cipher code, and this cipher code is recorded in a code indicator section.

Abstract: An optical identification label consisting of an area of hologram or diffraction grating which is transparent to visible light but reflects incident light with a specific reflective directivity. By identifying the reflectivity directivity, it is possible to identify the authenticity of the label and, hence, the object to which the identification label is affixed. The fact that the identification label is transparent to human eyes offers a strong discouraging effect on potential forgers. Further, the pattern of the reflected light may be used as means for encoding data.

Abstract: A method for the quality improvement of low-quality rice for sake brewing is disclosed wherein a low-quality rice such as low-grade rice, undermilled rice or old rice is heated at a pressure of 3.0 kg/cm.sup.2 or above and a temperature of 185.degree. C. or above for one minute or less, preferably 2 to 10 seconds, and quickly discharged into an atmosphere of ambient pressure to obtain a puffed rice utilized as a starting material for sake brewing.