Abstract: A security document (1) comprises a paper document substrate (11) and a security element (2) embedded in said document substrate (11). The security element comprises an element substrate (21) and a material (22) sensitive to laser light. The method comprises the step of directing laser light (41) onto the document substrate (11) so as to alter said material (22), so as to provide said security element (2) with a detectable marking (3).

Abstract: A security document (1) comprises a paper document substrate (11) and a security element (2) embedded in said document substrate (11). The security element comprises an element substrate (21) and a material (22) sensitive to laser light. The method comprises the step of directing laser light (41) onto the document substrate (11) so as to alter said material (22), so as to provide said security element (2) with a detectable marking (3).

Abstract: A reading sensor adapted to read a security element having magnetic areas with different coercivity, comprising at least one first reading head and at least one second reading head, which are arranged parallel to each other and are capable of detecting two distinct signal sequences, and a permanent magnet which is arranged between the reading heads.

Abstract: A security element, comprising at least two contiguous areas having an identical or different coloring which can vary depending on the inclination of the incidence and, therefore, reflection of direct light or depending on the type of incident light. The security element also has a single graphic marking which crosses with continuity the two areas having variable coloring so that the graphic marking straddles the two areas so that it is perfectly aligned, without having discontinuities of any kind. Moreover, the effect of this graphic marking is perfectly visible both when the security element is viewed from the recto and when it is viewed from the verso.

Abstract: A security element, particularly for banknotes, security cards and the like, comprising a first substrate which is at least partially opaque when viewed in transmitted light, and a plurality of magnetic areas being arranged on the substrate, wherein each of the magnetic areas is formed by a first magnetic material, a second magnetic material or an arrangement of the first and the second magnetic materials being at least partially superimposed, the first magnetic material and the second magnetic material exhibiting different coercivity values which are detectable by a sensor, wherein the first and second magnetic materials are magnetically saturated such that one of the first and second magnetic materials is not affected by the other.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a security element, particularly for banknotes, security cards, passports, identity cards and the like, comprising at least one magnetic area formed of at least a first and a second magnetic material having at least one different magnetic property. The second magnetic material partially covers the first magnetic material. The first magnetic material is exposed at least at two sides of the second magnetic material such that both in a first extension direction of the security element and in a second extension direction perpendicular to the first extension direction there is a change from the first magnetic material to the second magnetic material. Further, a method for reading a security element according to the invention, a system for reading a security element according to the invention, and a method for manufacturing a security element according the invention are described.

Abstract: A security element, particularly for banknotes, security cards and the like, comprising a first substrate which is at least partially opaque when viewed in transmitted light, magnetic areas being deposited on the substrate, the magnetic areas comprising at least two types of magnetic areas which have different coercivity values and whose residual magnetism is identical or different, said different values being adapted to generate at least three mutually different codes.

Abstract: A security element, particularly for banknotes, security cards and the like, comprising a first substrate which is at least partially opaque when viewed in transmitted light, and a plurality of magnetic areas being arranged on the substrate, wherein each of the magnetic areas is formed by a first magnetic material, a second magnetic material or an arrangement of the first and the second magnetic materials being at least partially superimposed, the first magnetic material and the second magnetic material exhibiting different coercivity values which are detectable by a sensor, wherein the first and second magnetic materials are magnetically saturated such that one of the first and second magnetic materials is not affected by the other.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of manufacturing a security thread (1) having a microchip (2), comprising the steps of providing a support material on a substrate; softening said support material, preferably by heating said support material; depositing a microchip (2) on or at least partly in the softened support material; and curing said support material, preferably by cooling said support material. The invention also relates to the security thread (1) manufactured by the method, and to a document, preferably a paper document, comprising that security thread.

Abstract: A reading sensor adapted to read a security element having magnetic areas with different coercivity, comprising at least one first reading head and at least one second reading head, which are arranged parallel to each other and are capable of detecting two distinct signal sequences, and a permanent magnet which is arranged between the reading heads.

Abstract: A security element, particularly for banknotes, security cards and the like, comprising a first substrate which is at least partially opaque when viewed in transmitted light, magnetic areas being deposited on the substrate, the magnetic areas comprising at least two types of magnetic areas which have different coercivity values and whose residual magnetism is identical or different, said different values being adapted to generate at least three mutually different codes.

Abstract: A security element, comprising at least two contiguous areas having an identical or different coloring which can vary depending on the inclination of the incidence and, therefore, reflection of direct light or depending on the type of incident light. The security element also has a single graphic marking which crosses with continuity the two areas having variable coloring so that the graphic marking straddles the two areas so that it is perfectly aligned, without having discontinuities of any kind. Moreover, the effect of this graphic marking is perfectly visible both when the security element is viewed from the recto and when it is viewed from the verso.

Abstract: A security element, such as a thread, strip and the like, for security documents in general, which comprises a flexible backing layer that has, on at least one face, a layer of metallic material provided with regions in which the thickness of the metal is less than 70% and more than 25% of the thickness of the layer of metallic material of the nearby portions, and further comprises a layer of embossed holographic lacquer between the backing layer and the layer of metallic material.

Abstract: A security element for documents in general and particularly for banknotes, security cards and the like, comprising a flexible support layer that has a layer of metallic material on at least one face, said metallic layer having a substantially uniform thickness with a tolerance of less than +/?4%, and on said metallic layer at least regions are provided having a metal thickness that is less than 25% and more than 1% of the thickness of the layer of metallic material of the surrounding portions.

Abstract: A sheet element, such as a banknote, a document with intrinsic value and the like, with security means, which comprises a sheet-shaped element that incorporates a security element, preferably in the form of a strip. Windows are formed in the sheet-like element at the security element. The particularity of the invention is constituted by the fact that the number of windows is correlated to the face value of the banknote.

Abstract: A security element, such as a thread, strip and the like, for security documents in general, which comprises a flexible backing layer that has, on at least one face, a layer of metallic material provided with regions in which the thickness of the metal is less than 70% and more than 25% of the thickness of the layer of metallic material of the nearby portions, and further comprises a layer of embossed holographic lacquer between the backing layer and the layer of metallic material.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of manufacturing a security thread (1) having a microchip (2), comprising the steps of providing a support material on a substrate; softening said support material, preferably by heating said support material; depositing a microchip (2) on or at least partly in the softened support material; and curing said support material, preferably by cooling said support material. The invention also relates to the security thread (1) manufactured by the method, and to a document, preferably a paper document, comprising that security thread.

Abstract: A security element of the hologram type for preventing counterfeiting and falsification for documents in general, which comprises a layer of holographic material and initially can be optionally connected to a background layer with a release layer and an optional protective layer interposed. The layer of holographic material is associated with a monochrome background layer. There is also an adhesive layer for connecting the security element to a document in general. On the background layer, regions that are chromatically different from the background and are visually detectable are provided.

Abstract: A method for customising security documents, particularly banknote, checks and documents representing a value in general. The method is suitable to prevent their forgery and alteration and comprises the steps that consist in superimposing at least two materials (10, 20) having different resistances to laser and being arranged adjacent to each other onto a substrate (30) having a higher resistance to laser than each of the superimposed materials (10, 20) and treating said superimposed materials (10, 20) with a laser beam which is guided along a preset path in order to modify by sublimation a part of each superimposed material (10, 20) by subjecting it to said laser beam without substantially burning or sublimating said substrate (30).

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a security element for documents, forgery-proof labels, checks, seals and the like, comprising the steps of providing a backing layer and applying a covering layer to at least one face of the backing layer. The method also comprises a step of removing preset regions of the covering layer with a laser beam having a wavelength between 900 and 1200 nm. The preset regions define a code which can be customized in any manner and detected in any manner.