Abstract: Smoking articles include a marking that includes an indicia that is hidden when viewed from certain angles and visually distinct when viewed from other angles. The marking may be provided on a wrapper, such as a plug wrap, a smokable material wrap, or a tipping paper wrap. The marking may include aligned embossed and printed features with a portion being misaligned. The marking may include a coloured adjacent or surrounding region into which the indica may be hidden and from which it may appear, depending on the viewing angle. The marking may allow a consumer to identify the smoking article as genuine, as opposed to counterfeit.

Abstract: This method of reading a video stream comprises: the reception (92) of a video stream which comprises, associated with each tile of an image, a high-quality variant and a degraded variant, this degraded variant being able to be decompressed independently of the degraded variants associated with other tiles which do not have the same coordinates and independently of the high-quality variant associated with the same tile, for each selected tile, the decryption (118) and the decompression (120) of the high-quality variant associated with this selected tile and, for each unselected tile, the decompression (126) of the degraded variant associated with this unselected tile, and then the construction (130) of the degraded version of each portion of the image situated inside an unselected tile on the basis of the degraded variant associated with this unselected tile.

Abstract: Printing, engraving, etching, or embossing techniques and security documents produced therefrom that can help inhibit or prevent tampering or forgery, particularly forgery or tampering of security document blanks or blank security documents. For example, for at least one character of a given alphabet used for the text in the security document, the character may include one or more slight variations or differences between instances of such character based on, for example, human selection, a predefined pattern, an automated selection algorithm or formula, or random or semi-random selection. In order to duplicate the security document blank, a forger would need to painstakingly review and copy each individual character including the slight variation or difference provided with that instance of the character.

Abstract: Techniques are described for generating and presenting a digital document for a transfer. A check service may generate the digital document based on provided check data. The digital document may be stored on a user device and presented to a recipient, for example through the display of the user device. The digital document may also be provided to the recipient in an email or other type of communication. The check service may generate a digital watermark to include on the digital document. The watermark may be unique to the particular document, and may be algorithmically generated based on data that is associated with the particular document, such as a serial identifier, a transaction identifier, an amount, a user identifier of the sender, etc. The digital watermark may be regenerated when the recipient presents the document for payment, to confirm document validity.

Abstract: According to one example, there is provided a visual security feature. The visual security feature comprises a security feature printed on a media. The security feature includes a security code printed on the media, and a holographic image is embossed on the printed security feature.

Abstract: Embodiments are directed to methods and systems to increase flow and throughput of particular data through the use of a machine readable code with portion analysis. The machine readable code may be generated by a transaction processing network and correspond with one or more resource provider computers. When data is received by the transaction processing network that corresponds with one of the resource provider computers, a portion of the machine readable code that is proportional to a size or measurement of the data may be provided in exchange for the data. The recipient of the portion of the code and, once the recipient collects a predetermined number of machine readable code portions to complete the machine readable code, the complete machine readable code may be scanned and transmitted back to the transaction processing network to be exchanged for additional information or to initiate further processing.

Abstract: A method for deterring information copying, includes: combining a watermark serial number incorporate in a given medium with a content serial number to create a combined serial number, the watermark serial number uniquely identifies the given medium, and the content serial number uniquely identifies a content stored on the given medium; creating a digital signature by encoding the combined serial number using a private key of a public/private key pair; imprinting the content serial number and the digital signature on the given medium; decoding the digital signature imprinted on the given medium using a public key of the public/private key pair to obtain the combined serial number; comparing the decoded combined serial number with the watermark serial number and the content serial number imprinted of the given medium; and in response to determining that both match the combined serial number, determining that the content is authentic.

Abstract: A gaming system compatible with patron-controlled portable electronic devices, such as smart phones or tablet computers, is described. The gaming system can include electronic gaming machines that are compatible to receive both virtual ticket vouchers and printed ticket vouchers that are redeemable for credits on the electronic gaming machines. Information associated with a virtual ticket voucher can be stored on a patron-controlled portable electronic device and then can be wireless transmitted to the electronic gaming machines. The electronic gaming machines can be configured to issue virtual ticket vouchers and printed ticket vouchers that can be redeemed for cash or additional game play on another electronic gaming machine. In one embodiment, the electronic gaming machine can be configured to issue a virtual ticket voucher to a patron-controlled portable electronic device.

Abstract: A method for planning a project including accessing a worksheet with a list area and instruction indicia. The instruction indicia cues a user to write project-related information in the list area for at least two phases of a project, and the project-related information includes at least one of a time interval or a finish date for each project phase. The method includes writing project-related information in the list area of the worksheet and accessing a plurality of labels that each include project-related indicia. A label is selected that pertains to at least one phase of the project, and the label is secured to a date-range document at a location on the date-range document that correlates with the time interval or the finish date of the respective phase of the project.

Abstract: A device is described for the hiding and subsequent recovery of visual information. The device comprises two or more tokens (1), each containing a mask (2,3) of coloured pixels (4), are overlaid (5), so that when the pixels are aligned, hidden information, invisible in the individual tokens. The hidden information consists of one or more recognisable alphabetic, numerical or pictorial characters (6). During token overlay and alignment, the information becomes recognisable because it is made up of pixels whose colour is differentiated from the other pixels in the overlay. The information is hidden by adding pixels of certain colours. When the tokens are overlaid and the pixels aligned, the added pixels are effectively subtracted, revealing the hidden information. The tokens may be printed on various media, or may be displayed on an electronic device.

Abstract: Methods of manufacturing a security element for a security document include: a first portion of the security document, the first portion of the security document having at least one aperture therethrough, the or each aperture being defined by an internal surface of the first portion of the document; and either printing through the first portion of the security document such that ink is deposited onto at least a part of the internal surface of the at least one aperture, or printing through the first portion of the security document onto a second portion of the security document provided behind the first portion of the security document, such that ink is deposited onto at least a part of the second portion of the security document aligned with the at least one aperture.

Abstract: A system and method for issuing electronic vouchers representing value. An issuing server generates an eVoucher that a recipient may use to purchase goods and services from a merchant's e-commerce Web site. The eVoucher includes an image, such as a corporate logo, that identifies the issuing merchant. Nonimage data, such as a unique identifier for the eVoucher and encrypted arbitrary text, is embedded in the eVoucher image and is used to track the use of the eVoucher and to verify its authenticity.

Abstract: A process for authenticating an end user. A first pattern of colored quadrilaterals is generated. A second pattern of multiple colored nodes that include a first subset of nodes is generated. The first and second patterns are sent to the end user. If a transparent credit card is overlaid by the end user on top of the second pattern, then a second subset of nodes in the credit card would match in color and location the first subset of nodes. The authenticity status of the end user is determined by determining whether each node of a third subset of nodes within the second subset of nodes (i) corresponds to a unique node of the multiple colored nodes and (ii) has a color that matches a specific color in one quadrilateral of the colored quadrilaterals. The determined authenticity status is sent to the end user via an output device.

Abstract: Embodiments include a method, a manual device, a handheld manual device, a handheld writing device, a system, and an apparatus. An embodiment provides a manual device operable in a context. The manual device includes a writing element operable to form a mark on a surface in response to a movement of the writing element with respect to the surface. The manual device also includes a controller operable to encode information corresponding to the context of the manual device by regulating the formation of the mark.

Abstract: A marker attaching apparatus attaches to an image a positioning marker for detecting a specific area in the image, and includes: an area size detection unit detecting a size of an area to which the positioning marker is attached; a marker adjustment unit adjusting the positioning marker depending on the detected size of the area; and a marker attaching unit attaching the adjusted positioning marker to the image.

Abstract: A technique to ensure watermarking a highest selected layer for decoding when receiving a scalable coded bitstream having a plurality of bitstream layers. In one technique, the watermark is associated only with the highest layer that is selected from the hierarchically arranged layers and not in any of the lower layers of the hierarchy. In another technique, the watermarks are present in all the layers, but each lower layer watermark is compensated in a next higher layer to remove effects of the presence of the lower layer watermark in the next higher layer.

Abstract: A document and a related viewer for the document are constructed as image files capable of transmission to a printing site. The document file contains information for printing a document having hidden security indicia, and the viewer file contains information for printing a document viewer having a decrypting portion for revealing the hidden security indicia in the document.

Abstract: A coplanarly joined print carrier composed of at least two laminar partial print carriers. One of the partial print carriers contains a paper layer. The paper layer of one partial print carrier is attenuated in thickness along an edge strip by removing a partial layer. The other partial print carrier has a lesser thickness along one edge strip than elsewhere. The two partial print carriers are bonded together along their two edge strips. A method suitable for making such a print carrier is also provided.

Abstract: A system and method for issuing electronic vouchers representing value. An issuing server generates an eVoucher that a recipient may use to purchase goods and services from a merchant's e-commerce Web site. The eVoucher includes an image, such as a corporate logo, that identifies the issuing merchant. Nonimage data, such as a unique identifier for the eVoucher and encrypted arbitrary text, is embedded in the eVoucher image and is used to track the use of the eVoucher and to verify its authenticity.

Abstract: A document upon which a data sequence is placed, the data sequence comprising identification data (1) and verification data (3) in combination. The verification data (3) is physically distinguished from said identification data (1) within the data sequence in addition to any differences due to a difference in data between the identification data and verification data.

Abstract: An authenticatable object comprises a surface having a latent hidden image embossed therein. The latent image is an encoded version of an authentication image and comprises a plurality of elements applied to the surface with a predetermined frequency. The latent hidden image is configured for optical decoding by a decoder having a decoder frequency corresponding to the predetermined frequency.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a unique information acquisition unit to acquire unique information unique to document data to be a print object from the document data; a storage unit to store the acquired unique information in association with the document data, and to store the unique information as reference unique information; an image forming unit to print an image based on the stored document data and the unique information associated with the document data on a same recording medium; a reading unit to read the printed unique information as unique information to be compared; and a control unit to compare the unique information to be compared with the stored reference unique information to stop printing of the document data when the control unit judges that the unique information to be compared and the stored reference unique information do not accord with each other.

Abstract: When a decrypting apparatus receives an encrypted image, the apparatus detects the state of the encrypted image and determines whether the encrypted image is an image passed through only a digital medium or an analog medium, according to the state of the encrypted image. When the encrypted image is determined to be the image passed through only the digital medium, the decrypting apparatus switches to perform a digital decryption process and, when the encrypted image is determined to be the image passed through the analog medium, the decrypting apparatus switches to perform an analog decryption process.

Abstract: A method of authenticating an object in which a computer system receives indicating data from a sensing device. The indicating data is generated in response to sensing of coded data provided on or in a surface associated with the object and is indicative of an identity of the object and at least part of a signature. The signature is in turn a digital signature of at least part of the identity. The computer system uses the indicating to determine a received identity and a received signature part, before using the using the received identity to determine at least a determined signature part. The determined signature part is then compared to the received signature part to authenticate the object.

Abstract: In a method and arrangement for variable generation of cryptographic securities of communications in a host device, for cryptographic security of a communication for a first purpose a first signature is used and for cryptographic security of a communication for a second purpose a second signature is used, the signatures being differentiated from each other by the type of their generation. A cryptologic module has a number of logic circuits and a changeover switch and is arranged externally of the postal security device and is connected at its output with an information input of the postal security device that has a logic circuit that applies a digital signal algorithm to the output signal supplied by the output in order to generate a signature.

Abstract: A method for customizing direct marketing campaigns, by utilizing relationships within a computer social network and information that is known about the social network members to find the best opportunity to provide an offer for goods and services to potential customers; providing offers for the goods and the services via the computer based upon receiving recommendations from acquaintances of potential customers via the social networks; and sending offers to the potential customers via the computer on behalf of their acquaintance.

Abstract: Vouchers and methods for providing vouchers configured to assist in distinguishing unauthorized duplicate or counterfeit vouchers are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a voucher can include a substrate, a first indicia on the substrate, and a thermally responsive second indicia on the substrate. At least one of the first indicia and the second indicia can indicate a value of the voucher. A system which assists in detecting alteration of value documents or transmissions, such as a coin counter voucher is provided. Voucher information such as the voucher value is included in the voucher in an encrypted or otherwise modified form. When the voucher is presented for redemptions, the encrypted information is decrypted and compared to independently available voucher information. Failure of the information to match indicates that the voucher has been altered or should otherwise be further checked.

Abstract: There is disclosed a method of encoding a latent image. The method comprises providing a latent image to be encoded, the latent image having a plurality of latent image elements, each latent image element having a visual characteristic which takes one of a predetermined set of values, providing a secondary pattern having a plurality of secondary image elements, the secondary pattern being capable of decoding the latent image once the latent image has been encoded, relating the latent image elements to the secondary image elements, and forming a primary pattern comprising a plurality of primary image elements which correspond to the secondary image elements displaced in accordance with the value of the visual characteristic of the latent image elements to which said secondary image elements are related.

Abstract: A method for embedding covert information on a printed substrate is provided. The method can include the steps of printing overt indicia on a substrate and generating a pattern of microtext representative of at least a portion of the overt indicia. Such microtext is capable of being printed in at least two distinct fonts, including a first font and a second font. The method can further include steps of varying the pattern of microtext such that at least one character of the pattern of microtext is configured to be printed in the first font and at least one character is configured to be printed in the second font, thereby providing a font variation which corresponds to a covert code, and printing the pattern of microtext which includes the font variation on the substrate.

Abstract: Embodiments include a method, a manual device, a handheld manual device, a handheld writing device, a system, and an apparatus. An embodiment provides an apparatus. The apparatus includes a writing element having a first portion operable to discharge a first marking substance on a surface in response to a movement of the writing element over the surface and a second portion operable to discharge a second marking substance on the surface in response to a controller. The apparatus also includes the controller operable to encode information corresponding to a context of the apparatus by regulating the discharge of the second marking substance.

Abstract: Embodiments provide a method, and a device A device includes a writing element operable to form a mark on a surface corresponding to a movement of the writing element over the surface. The device also includes a controller operable to digitally encode information in the mark.

Abstract: Embodiments include a method, a manual device, a handheld manual device, a handheld writing device, a system, and an apparatus. An embodiment provides a manual device operable in a context. The manual device includes a writing element operable to form a mark on a surface in response to a movement of the writing element with respect to the surface. The manual device also includes a controller operable to encode information corresponding to the context of the manual device by regulating the formation of the mark.

Abstract: This invention relates generally to a method and apparatus, as implemented by a software program on a computer system, for digitally producing counterfeit-deterring scrambled or encoded indicia images. This method and system are capable of combining a source image with a latent image so the scrambled latent image is visible only when viewed through a special decoder lens. The digital processing allows different latent images to be encoded according to different parameters. Additionally, latent images might be encoded into single component colors of an original visible image, at various angles from each other.

Abstract: A method is provided for supporting processing of a transaction conducted between a first party and a second party. The first party accepts payment via a plurality of different payment options selectable by the second party, and the plurality of different payment options are associated with a plurality of different authentication protocols prescribed therefor.

Abstract: The invention relates to a data carrier having a security element that is at lest visually testable and has an embossing in at least a partial area, the embossing being a halftone blind embossing executed by inkless line intaglio printing, and to a method for producing the data carrier and a printing plate for blind-embossing a security element.

Abstract: A method of authenticating an object in which a computer system receives indicating data from a sensing device. The indicating data is generated in response to sensing of coded data provided on or in a surface associated with the object and is indicative of an identity of the object and at least part of a signature. The signature is in turn a digital signature of at least part of the identity. The computer system uses the indicating to determine a received identity and a received signature part, before using the using the received identity to determine at least a determined signature part. The determined signature part is then compared to the received signature part to authenticate the object.

Abstract: A method of using a mobile device to authenticate a print medium online before completing printing onto the print medium, the mobile device including processing means, a printhead, a sensor, a transmitter and a receiver, the print medium comprising a laminar substrate, the method comprising the steps of: using the sensor to sense coded data provided on a surface of the substrate; using the processing means to determine, from the sensed coded data: an identity of the print medium; and at least part of a signature, the signature being a digital signature of at least part of the identity; using the transmitter to send first data to a remote computer system, the first data being indicative of the identity and the at least part of the signature; using the receiver to receive second data from the remote computer system in reply to the first data, the second data being indicative of whether the print medium is authentic based on the identity and the at least part of the signature; and in the event the print medium i

Abstract: A method of electronically signing a document includes initializing a user, including generating an asymmetric key pair including a private signing key and a public signing key, and storing the private signing key and the public signing key; and providing an electronic signature, including receiving document data corresponding to at least one selected portion of the document, binding the stored private signing key and the document data to create an electronic signature, and providing the electronic signature for a recipient.

Abstract: An object associated with a surface that has coded data disposed thereon or therein. The coded data includes a number of coded data portions, each of which encodes an identity of the object. In addition, each coded data portion encodes at least part of a signature that is a digital signature of at least part of the identity. This allows the coded data to be used to both identify and authenticate the object.

Abstract: A method of authenticating an object in which a computer system receives indicating data from a sensing device. The indicating data is generated in response to sensing of coded data and is indicative of an identity of the object and a plurality of signature fragments, the signature being a digital signature of at least part of the identity. The computer system uses the indicating data to determine the identity and the plurality of signature fragments. The plurality of signature fragments are then used to determined a determined signature, which is in turn used to generate a generated identity. The identity is then compared to the generated identity to authenticate the object.

Abstract: A method of authenticating an object using a processor that receives indicating data generated in response to sensing of coded data. The indicating data is indicative of an identity of the object and, at least part of a signature, the signature being a digital signature of at least a part of the identity. The processor determines from the indicating data, a received identity and at least one received signature part, and then uses the received identity and a secret key, to determine a determined signature. The determined signature is then compared to the at least one received signature part to authenticate the object.

Abstract: Coded data for disposal on or in a surface that includes a number of coded data portions. Each coded data portion encodes an identity of an object or the like associated with the surface. In addition, each coded data portion encodes at least part of a data object so that the data object is encoded in its entirety over a number of data portions, thereby allowing the data object to be reconstructed. The data object can include digital data relating to the object, such as product information, or a digital signature of at least part of the identity.

Abstract: A sensing device for authenticating an object. The device includes a sensor for sensing coded data provided on or in a surface associated with the object. The coded data encodes an identity and, at least one part of a signature, the signature being a digital signature of at least part of the identity. The sensed coded data is then used by a processor, to determine a sensed identity and at least one sensed signature part, which are then in turn used to authenticate the object. The processor may form part of the sensing device, or be connected to the sensing device via a communications system.

Abstract: A method of authenticating an object, the method including: sensing coded data provided on or in a surface associated with the object; determining, from the sensed coded data: an identity of the object; a plurality of signature fragments, the signature being a digital signature of at least part of the identity; determining, using the plurality of signature fragments, a determined signature; generating, using the determined signature and a key, a generated identity; comparing the identity to the generated identity; and, authenticating the object using the results of the comparison.

Abstract: A method of using a mobile device to authenticate a print medium offline before completing printing onto the print medium, the mobile device including processing means, a printhead and a sensor, the print medium comprising a laminar substrate, the method comprising the steps of: using the sensor to sense coded data provided on a surface of the substrate; using the processing means: determining, from the sensed coded data: an identity of the print medium; and at least part of a signature, the signature being a digital signature of at least part of the identity; determining, using the at least part of the signature, a determined signature; generating, using the determined signature and a public key stored in the mobile device, a generated identity; comparing the identity to the generated identity; and authenticating the print medium using the results of the comparison; and in the event the authentication step is successful, using the printhead to print onto the print medium.

Abstract: This invention allows the encryption side to set whether an image playback apparatus should play back image data in a scrambled state or a non-scrambled state. When a code-block of input image data is an object to be encrypted, it is encrypted. In playing back the data, it is determined whether playback is to be executed by using the encrypted code-block (the scrambling playback mode is to be set). To inhibit use of the encrypted code-block, a terminating marker is placed at the start of the code-block. To use the encrypted code-block, the terminating marker is placed at the end of the code-block.

Abstract: An apparatus and methods for implementing a secure personal identification Token are disclosed. The Token may utilize biometric matching, encryption, access codes, holograms, and bar codes to improve security and confidentiality of data relating to the holder of the token. To further improve security, methods of ensuring the uniqueness of the holder may be implemented. Methods to protect unauthorized access to a holder's Token are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention provides a durable and self-verifying secure document system and a method for its production, wherein counterfeiting is prevented. The secure document system is potentially useful for a wide variety of documents including, but not limited to, lottery tickets, currency, traveler's checks, passports, stock and bond certificates, bank notes, driver's licenses, wills, coupons, rebates, contracts, food stamps, magnetic stripes, test answer forms, invoices, tickets, inventory forms, tags, labels and original artwork. The instant invention provides a plastic paper substitute having various indicia associated therewith including visible and hidden indicia. Application of the hidden indicia to the plastic paper substitute is implemented in accordance with a computer software program, and the document includes an integral lens area which is particularly designed to verify the document's authenticity by rendering the hidden indicia visible to the viewer.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus comprises, in order to judge an image prohibited by law from being printed at high speed, a judgment unit for judging for each predetermined area whether or not an output requested image includes information indicating that the image is a judgment object image; and a determination unit for determining the predetermined area for each predetermined distance with respect to the output requested image.

Abstract: A self-verifying security document, such as a banknote, comprises a flexible sheet formed from a plastics substrate bearing indicia. The sheet has a window of transparent plastics material that includes self-verification means for verifying a security device provided at a laterally spaced second portion of the sheet when the sheet is bent or folded to bring the window into register with the security device. The self-verification means may be an optical lens for reading an area of microprinting. In another embodiment, the self-verification means may be an optical filter for viewing an area printed with metameric inks. In other embodiments, the self-verification means and the security device may be polarizing windows or Moire inducing patterns.