Abstract: A method and apparatus for enhancing the security of a check or negotiable document and deterring the generation of copies of the check or negotiable document. The signature area of a document is imprinted with a pantographic background design different from a pantographic background design covering the remainder of the face of a check. A warning clause describes the color and/or background of the signature area. The endorsement area of a document is also imprinted with a pantographic background design. A warning clause describes the color and/or background of the endorsement area. The endorsement area background may further include a representation of the watermark certification seal to aid an individual in more quickly determining whether the proper watermark seal exist on the check or negotiable document.

Abstract: A method and device for protecting visual information against unauthorized access and modification using a printed cryptographic watermark includes printing a first array of shapes on a first sheet of material to be protected and printing a second array of shapes on a second sheet of material, which is transparent so as to form a developer for developing a watermark encoded in a combination of the first and second arrays of shapes. The watermark is encoded by preparing each array using black and white pixels. Each pixel, which may be a square, rectangle, circle, hexagon or other shape, is split into first and second collections of subpixels, the first collection of subpixels appearing in the first array of shapes and the second collection of subpixels appearing in the second array of shapes.

Abstract: A security paper is provided for incorporation in a security document, or other document having intrinsic value. The security paper includes a resinous substrate sheet on which indicia are printed. Paper sheets are laminated on either side of the resinous substrate sheet using a suitable adhesive. In the laminated security paper, the indicia printed on the substrate sheet are undetectable when viewed in reflected light, but become apparent when viewed transmitted light within the visible spectrum. The security paper may be incorporated in a security document in which a set of indicia printed on at least one of the outer faces of the paper sheets, such that the indicia on the substrate and the indicia on the document form a total image when viewed in transmitted light. A method for manufacturing the security paper is also provided.

Abstract: A security article such as a banknote, credit card, identity card or travel document includes a security element which is visually detectable in transmitted light to display portions which transmit light and portions which are opaque, the security element including a plurality of layers that include a light-transmitting support layer and two or more series of opaque regions. The arrangement of the opaque regions is such that at certain parts of the security element the regions overlap to prevent light transmission and elsewhere along its length the opaque regions do not overlap or only partially overlap such that light transmission through the security element occurs.

Abstract: A substrate, such as a banknote or travellers' check, carries a security device including in association at least one embossed transitory image, such as a latent or transient image and an embossed linear area. The arrangement is such that when the embossed region of the substrate is viewed from different angles each image and linear area can be visually discerned.

Abstract: The present invention provides a waterproof recording material having ground patterns characterized in that the ground patterns are imparted to the surface of a film of a resin composition comprising a thermoplastic synthetic resin and a filler. According to this invention, it is possible to provide a fine-looking recording material which, besides excellent waterproofness and recording property, may have various stages of surface properties and visual effects imparted by means of the ground patterns. The waterproof recording material having ground patterns of the present invention is suitable as a material of valuable securities and the like, facilitating true/false discrimination and preventing illegal use or abuse thereof by altering, falsification et cetera.

Abstract: A security paper includes at least two layers of paper each having inner and outer surfaces and predetermined mechanical properties, color and optical density. Authentication indicia is printed on the inner surface of at least one layer. The indicia is formed of a chemically, mechanically and thermally stable medium having a predetermined color, color intensity and optical density. A chemically, mechanically and thermally stable adhesive permanently adheres the inner surfaces of the layers together. The adhesive has a predetermined color and optical density. The color and optical density of the layers, the color, color intensity and optical density of the medium and the color and optical density of the adhesive combine to render the authentication indicia detectable in transmitted light and substantially imperceptible in reflected light.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an antifalsification document having an embedded secutiry thread, and to a method for producing the same. This security thread is transparent and has a printed pattern on one side and, on the opposite side, a lenticular structure coordinated with the printed pattern. Such threads change their appearance when the viewing angle changes. To produce the security threads, a transparent film impressed with the desired lenticular relief is directed to a printing apparatus in exact register via guide elements having a relief structure that is negative with respect to the film impression, and then divided in a cutting apparatus into individual threads.

Abstract: A method of impressing a secret pattern on a substrate by the use of an uninked intaglio printing plate having the foreground area with a pattern of ridges and grooves which are distinctively different from the ridges and grooves in a background area enclosing the foreground area. The secret pattern may be observed only a person who is informed as to what pattern he is looking for and how to look at that pattern. Particularly, his line of sight must make a certain angle with the plane of the impressed substrate. The line of sight must also be oriented properly with respect to the background and foreground areas.

Abstract: A multilayered data carrier, in particular an identification card, consisting of at least one data carrier with non-user and user data, in particular with a phonograph of the authorized user, in the case of which the user data, i.e. the user's photograph, are protected by a transparent cover sheet which is glued or welded onto the card. The data carrier has a high-security printed pattern, e.g. a guilloche pattern, and the user data are copied onto the data carrier by means of an electro-photographic method, i.e. by xerography or by zinc oxide-electrophotography.

Abstract: A data carrier, in particular check paper, having a picture theme printed on by the dot screen, grain screen, line-half-tone combination or special screen techniques or as a line copy, which is printed over by a security pattern serving the purpose of protecting the data carrier. The picture theme is interrupted by a negative security pattern adapted to the security pattern, into which negative security pattern the security pattern is printed congruently. The lines of the negative security pattern are preferably wider than the lines of the security pattern, so that the lines of the security pattern integrated into the picture theme are at a certain distance from the lines of the negative security pattern in the entire picture area and do not touch the picture theme.

Abstract: Apparatus for making image reproductions is disclosed having means for providing on a photosensitive support or film two micrographic images, one from a source of white light and the other from a source of black light. A third image may also be provided on the film to provide selected information such as a picture number, or operator and user identification. In the disclosed embodiment, the black light is continuously on while the white light is flashed only when a picture is being taken.