Abstract: The invention relates to a method and an apparatus for recognizing forged documents of value, wherein the documents of value are illuminated with clocked excitation light of a light source. Within the bright phase of the excitation light a first luminescence intensity is detected, within the dark phase a second luminescence intensity. Because of the afterglow of the light pulses there is a residual fluorescence, which distorts the luminescence intensity in the dark phase. By linking the second luminescence intensity with the first luminescence intensity, e.g. by subtracting a scaled first luminescence intensity, a corrected second luminescence intensity is determined, which substantially corresponds to the phosphorescence signal of the document of value.

Abstract: Scanning apparatuses (100; 200) are proposed for scanning bar codes (120; 220) applied to documents (110; 210), which in each case have a reflector arrangement (140, 150, 160, 170; 141, 151, 161; 152, 162; 165; 142, 143) which comprise either a variable reflection element (140; 141; 142, 143) or a light guide system (250, 251, 252; 253, 255; 254) which serves to deflect the beam path of the electromagnetic radiation emitted by a radiation source (130) or an illumination device (230, 231; 232, 233), in the document plane along a line substantially perpendicular to the feed direction of the document (110; 210), or to capture it, and to relay it to a detector (280).

Abstract: The invention relates to a security element for protecting documents of value, which has magnetic material. Furthermore, the invention relates to a document of value, a transfer material and method for producing such security elements and documents of value as well as a method and an apparatus for checking such a security element or document of value. According to the invention the security element has at least two magnetic materials, wherein the magnetic materials have different coercive field strengths and are applied onto and/or incorporated in the security element in such a manner that their remanence is equally high.

Abstract: The invention concerns a device and a method for examining magnetic properties of objects, in particular of sheet material such as for example bank notes. Therein the invention proceeds from a device (1) and a method for examining magnetic properties of objects (BN), in particular of sheet material such as for example bank notes, with a magneto-optical layer (42) having magnetic domains, the optical properties of the magneto-optical layer (42) being influenceable by the magnetic properties of the object (BN) to be examined, at least one light source (2) for the generation of light incident upon the magneto-optical layer (42), and at least one sensor (6) for the reception of light which is transmitted and/or reflected by the magneto-optical layer (42), with a magnetic field (B?) in the area of the magneto-optical layer (42) which extends substantially parallel to the surface of the magneto-optical layer (42).

Abstract: Forged bank notes are no longer reliably distinguishable from bank note originals (BN) on the basis of their luminescent fibers. According to the invention, the excitation of the fibers to luminesce is effected by means of excitation radiation (S) from the restricted wavelength range from 600 to 640 nm or from 520 to 550 nm, since the forgeries do not luminesce in this range but the originals luminesce red. Detection is therefore effected in the wavelength range from 640 to 700 nm.

Abstract: The invention relates to apparatus for examining magnetic properties of objects, in particular sheet material, such as bank notes (20). The apparatus comprises a magneto-optic layer (10) whose optical properties are influenceable by the magnetic properties of the sheet material (20), a light source (11) for producing light that is coupled into the magneto-optic layer (10), and a detector (13) for detecting light that is transmitted and/or reflected by the magneto-optic layer (10). For reliable examination of the magnetic properties of sheet material it is provided that the direction of propagation of the coupled-in light extends parallel to a base surface (9) of the magneto-optic layer (10). The invention permits the magnetic properties in particular of sheet material with areas emitting very weak magnetic fields to be examined with very high sensitivity and reliability.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for recognizing foreign material (2), in particular adhesive objects, glue or joints, on or in bank notes (1), including detecting the thermal radiation (5) emanating from at least a partial area of the bank note (1): and recognizing foreign material (2) located on the bank note (1) on the basis of the detected thermal radiation (5). The invention is especially suitable for recognizing adhesive objects, in particular adhesive tape and joints, on bank notes since areas of a bank note with adhesive tape or joints differ very distinctly in their thermal properties from other areas of the bank note without adhesive tape.

Abstract: The invention relates to apparatus for examining magnetic properties of objects, in particular sheet material, such as bank notes (20). The apparatus comprises a magneto-optic layer (10) whose optical properties are influenceable by the magnetic properties of the sheet material (20), a light source (11) for producing light that is coupled into the magneto-optic layer (10), and a detector (13) for detecting light that is transmitted and/or reflected by the magneto-optic layer (10). For reliable examination of the magnetic properties of sheet material it is provided that the direction of propagation of the coupled-in light extends parallel to a base surface (9) of the magneto-optic layer (10). The invention permits the magnetic properties in particular of sheet material with areas emitting very weak magnetic fields to be examined with very high sensitivity and reliability.

Abstract: The invention relates to apparatuses and a corresponding method for examining magnetic properties of objects, in particular sheet material, such as bank notes (20). The apparatuses comprise a magneto-optic layer (10) whose optical properties are influenceable by the magnetic properties of the sheet material (20), a light source (11) for producing light that is coupled into the magneto-optic layer (10), and a detector (13) for detecting light that is transmitted and/or reflected by the magneto-optic layer (10). For reliable examination of the magnetic properties of sheet material it is provided that the direction of propagation of the coupled-in light extends parallel to a base surface (9) of the magneto-optic layer (10). The invention permits the magnetic properties in particular of sheet material with areas emitting very weak magnetic fields to be examined with very high sensitivity and reliability.

Abstract: The invention relates to a security device having at least one plastic layer and one specularly reflecting metal layer. An inorganic auxiliary layer is disposed between the plastic layer and the metal layer.

Abstract: The invention relates to apparatuses and a corresponding method for examining magnetic properties of objects, in particular sheet material, such as bank notes (20). The apparatuses comprise a magneto-optic layer (10) whose optical properties are influenceable by the magnetic properties of the sheet material (20), a light source (11) for producing light that is coupled into the magneto-optic layer (10), and a detector (13) for detecting light that is transmitted and/or reflected by the magneto-optic layer (10).

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and corresponding apparatus for recognizing foreign material (2), in particular adhesive objects, glue or joints, on or in bank notes (1).

Abstract: The invention relates to a security device having at least one plastic layer and one specularly reflecting metal layer. An inorganic auxiliary layer is disposed between the plastic layer and the metal layer.

Abstract: The invention relates to a security device having at least one plastic layer and one specularly reflecting metal layer. An inorganic auxiliary layer is disposed between the plastic layer and the metal layer.