Abstract: A method of marking and authenticating a manufactured item, comprising providing the manufactured item with a visible anti-counterfeiting indicium, marking with marking means the manufactured item with a visible alphanumeric string, marking with marking means the manufactured item with visible marking time data, and transmitting with data transmission and control means marking time data marked on the manufactured item and the alphanumeric string marked on the manufactured item. The method further comprises with computer database control means, receiving the transmitted marking time data and the transmitted alphanumeric string and storing in association in a database marking time information corresponding with the received marking time data marked on the manufactured item and alphanumeric information corresponding with the received alphanumeric string marked on the manufactured item.

Abstract: A method of marking and authenticating a manufactured item, comprising providing the manufactured item with a visible anti-counterfeiting indicium, marking with marking means the manufactured item with a visible alphanumeric string, marking with marking means the manufactured item with visible marking time data, and transmitting with data transmission and control means marking time data marked on the manufactured item and the alphanumeric string marked on the manufactured item. The method further comprises with computer database control means, receiving the transmitted marking time data and the transmitted alphanumeric string and storing in association in a database marking time information corresponding with the received marking time data marked on the manufactured item and alphanumeric information corresponding with the received alphanumeric string marked on the manufactured item.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for controlling a production of items on a production line, wherein a digital image of each of said items is processed so as to obtain at least identified product type data and identified item data, said identified product type data and identified item data being further used for determining a reliable production volume per product type and per associated item.

Abstract: The invention is about a marking method and a corresponding coding center device for the marking of individual items (1), such as security documents, currency, tax excise stamps, labels, pieces of packaging, articles, or transportation means, with pertinent information indicating their nature and/or content, origin and/or destination, etc., and their registration in a remote, centralized data base, enabling the tracking & tracing of said items (1) and of the goods they may be applied to. The method of the invention is based on a three-step printreadcancel (PRC) sequence, embodied in a device comprising a printing unit (P), a reading unit (R) and a canceling unit (C), arranged in-line on an integrated equipment and operating under the control of information processing means (IP).

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for controlling a production of items on a production line, wherein a digital image of each of said items is processed so as to obtain at least identified product type data and identified item data, said identified product type data and identified item data being further used for determining a reliable production volume per product type and per associated item.

Abstract: The invention refers to a measurement probe for measuring magnetization data of at least one item (7), specifically a security document comprising at least one magnetic security material (M), said measurement probe comprising at least one core free magnetizing coil (3) characterized in that at least two magnetic field sensors (4s, 4c, 8s, 8c) are disposed at both ends inside said coil (3) at its both ends. The invention relates further to an authentication device comprising said measurement probe and to an authentication method carried out by means of said measurement probe and authentication device.

Abstract: The invention is about a marking method and a corresponding coding center device for the marking of individual (1), such as security documents, currency, tax excise stamps, labels, pieces of packaging, articles, or transportation means, with pertinent information indicating their nature and/or content, origin and/or destination, etc., and their registration in a remote, centralized data base, enabling the tracking & tracing of said items (1) and of the goods they may be applied to. The method of the invention is based on a three-step printreadcancel (PRC) sequence, embodied in a device comprising a printing unit (P), a reading unit (R) and a canceling unit (C), arranged in-line on an integrated equipment and operating under the control of information processing means (IP).

Abstract: A luminescent probe marking is excited with at least one excitation pulse of at least one excitation source. The probe intensity values of emission intensity from emission radiation of the luminescent probe marking are measured in response to the excitation pulse(s) at time intervals. A probe intensity-versus-time emission function is formed of the probe intensity values, and the probe intensity-versus-time emission function is compared with at least one reference intensity-versus-time emission function after the probe intensity-versus-time emission function and the reference intensity-versus-time emission function have been normalized.

Abstract: Security documents or articles carrying luminescent marker compounds which show a time-deferred emission characteristic are authenticated by a method and device which allows for rapid extraction of characteristic luminescent parameters, such as emission intensity and time constants. The method is not sensitive to perturbations by ambient light and reduces optical filtering requirements.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method, a device and a system for applying a detectable temporary mark of predefined life time of minutes to hours onto an object (0). The invention also concerns a coating composition comprising a short-lived radioactive isotope and the use of a short-lived radioactive isotope as a temporary marking. The temporary mark is applied to the object (O) by the means of a coating composition (3) comprising a low level of a short-lived radionuclide, generated in situ from a longer-lived precursor nucleus. The marking device comprises a radionuclide generator (1), a reservoir (2) for the in situ preparing the radioactively marked printing ink, and an ink-jet or alike printing or spraying head (8), preferably of the dropon-demand type. The marking is preferably detected and identified by a gamma-radiation counter.

Abstract: The invention refers to a measurement probe for measuring magnetization data of at least one item (7), specifically a security document comprising at least one magnetic security material (M), said measurement probe comprising at least one core free magnetizing coil (3) characterized in that at least two magnetic field sensors (4s, 4c, 8s, 8c) are disposed at both ends inside said coil (3) at its both ends. The invention relates further to an authentication device comprising said measurement probe and to an authentication method carried out by means of said measurement probe and authentication device.

Abstract: The invention discloses magnetic OVP, said pigment consisting of thin-layer flakes having a basic metal-dielectric-metal structure to result in a viewing-angle dependent color appearance, and having, in addition to said viewing-angle dependent color appearance, incorporated magnetic properties, to make them distinguishable from OVP of similar appearance but not having said magnetic properties. The invention discloses as well methods for obtaining such pigments and the use of such pigments as security elements in inks, coatings and articles.

Abstract: The invention discloses an improved method and a device implementing said method for the authentication of security documents or articles carrying luminescent marker compounds which show a time-deferred emission characteristic. The method allows a rapid extraction of characteristic luminescence parameters, such as emission intensity and time constants. The method is not sensitive to perturbations by ambient light and reduces the optical filtering requirements.

Abstract: The invention refers to a method, device and security system, all for authenticating a marking (M-P), comprising the steps of: exciting said luminescent probe marking (M-P) with at least one excitation pulse (P) of at least one excitation source (3, 31-36), measuring probe intensity values (VP1-VPn) of emission intensity (I) from emission radiation (E) of said luminescent probe marking (M-P) in response to said at least one excitation pulse (P) at time intervals (t1-tn), forming a probe intensity-versus-time emission function of said probe intensity values (VP1-VPn), comparing said probe intensity-versus-time emission function with at least one reference intensity-versus-time emission function, said probe intensity-versus-time emission function and said reference intensity-versus-time emission function are normalized prior to comparison.

Abstract: The invention discloses magnetic OVP, said pigment consisting of thin layer flakes having a basic metal-dielectric-metal structure to result in a viewing-angle dependent color appearance, and having, in addition to said viewing-angle dependent color appearance, incorporated magnetic properties, to make them distinguishable from OVP of similar appearance but not having said magnetic properties. The invention discloses as well methods for obtaining such pigments and the use of such pigments as security elements in inks, coatings and articles.