Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus and method for enhancing the security of selected information associated with a negotiable document, such as the monetary value of a cheque. In the invention, one or more security features are printed or applied onto the cheque. One such security feature is an encrypted control code. The preferred embodiment employs a secret key cryptographic scheme to encrypt the monetary value and thereby generate a first control code which is printed on tile cheque. When the cheque is presented for payment, a validator, such as bank or cheque cle aring house, employs a verification system having a copy of the encryption key to read the monetary value from the cheque and re-encrypt it according to said scheme to generate a second control code. The cheque is not honoured if the first and second control codes are not identical. Another security feature is a security image, composed, for instance, from a foreground image of the monetary value superimposed over a background motif image.

Abstract: A tamper-evident form for securely carrying information includes a scrambling pattern (4) which underlies the printed information such that the printed information cannot be read. Separation of the printed information and scrambling pattern, or other disabling of the scrambling pattern, is tamper-evident and renders the information readable. In preferred embodiments the information is printed on a lamina (6) which overlies the scrambling pattern (4). The information can be printed by conventional printers and no post-processing of the form is required to render the information secure.

Abstract: A security document which contains at least one layer and a transparent or translucent support and at least one image or pattern serving for identification purposes, characterized in that the document contains at least one light interference pigment distributed uniformly or patternwise in or on at least one layer of the document and/or contains the pigment in the support.

Abstract: A security print contains a background pattern formed for example of dots or lines. An object, for example the text “BEWARE OF FORGERY”, is worked into this regular background pattern for copy protection. The text is worked in by the individual lines of the background pattern being split at the places where the text is located into two partial lines which are each only about half as wide as the original line. With the naked eye this split of the background pattern components is not, or barely, recognizable. When such an original security print is copied on a conventional copying machine the original, relatively wide lines of the background pattern appear on the copy but the partial lines formed by the split thereof are not, or very poorly, copied so that the text “BEWARE OF FORGERY” appears clearly in the copy.

Abstract: A security document is provided including a unique combination of covert triggers, overt triggers, and overt secure document indicators arranged to enhance the security of the document at issue. In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, a security document is provided including a security image and a covert trigger printed on a face of the document. The security image is defined by a collection of security image elements. The security image defines at least one document authentication scheme. The document authentication scheme is arranged to provide an indication of document authenticity. The covert trigger is defined by a collection of trigger elements. The trigger elements are arranged to resemble the security image elements so the covert trigger is not readily apparent on the face of the document. In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, a method of authenticating a security document is provided.

Abstract: The present invention provides an optical disc provided with a watermark inside, which is visible with naked eyes from a reproduction side of the optical disc, and the producing method and the production apparatus thereof. The optical disc comprises a transparent substrate having an information signal recorded surface, a reflective layer formed on the information signal recorded surface thereof, an adhesive layer formed on the reflective layer, a mask layer on the adhesive layer and a transparent dummy substrate on the mask layer stacked in this order. The adhesive layer is made of an adhesive of which curing speed is changed according to a controlled amount of radiation of ultraviolet rays. The watermark is recorded in the optical disc by irradiating the ultraviolet rays on the adhesive through the mask layer provided with light shielding members to cause the adhesive to be cured by controlling a curing speed of the adhesive corresponding to existence or nonexistence of the light shielding members.

Abstract: A document of value such as a banknote comprises a substrate having a security feature in or on one region of the substrate. The security feature has at least one machine authenticatable high security entity (HSE) and at least one further machine authenticatable entity comprising a low security entity (LSE) or a high security entity, the at least two entites providing different detectable characteristics. The or each HSE is an homogeneous mixture of at least two components exhibiting different detectable characteristics, and the LSE is a single component exhibiting a detectable characteristic different from those exhibited by the HSE.

Abstract: A page protection system according to the present invention includes a band of material encircling the pages and a cover of an album, the band being snug enough to prevent removal of the pages without cutting or removing the band. In the most preferred embodiment of the present invention, the page protection system includes album ring elements secured to the back cover, rather than the spline of the album and a band made of transparent, synthetic, and heat sealable and/or heat shrinkable plastic material. The band should not be easily torn and not easily removable. It is preferably located near the rings, for example within about 1.5 inches from the ring elements if the elements are mounted to the spline of the album and adjacent the ring elements if they are mounted to an album cover.

Abstract: The invention concerns a conditioning arrangement for a product such as a food product equipped with a theft-proof marking device characterized by the fact that the theft-proof marking device is incorporated into the structure of the conditioning material during the manufacturing of said material. The invention also concerns a product contained in such conditioning as well as a process for theft-proof marking of a product in which a theft-proof marking device is incorporated into the product conditioning material during the manufacturing of that material. This applies more particularly to the theft-proof marking of products intended for distribution trade and for the manufacturing of conditioning materials.

Abstract: A tamper-evident closure seal is imprinted on its top surface to form a pattern of adjoining matte and high-gloss areas. The bottom surface of the seal is coated with a permanent adhesive. The seal may be used to bridge a gap between two perpendicular surfaces of a carton. If unauthorized entry to the carton is gained by cutting the seal along the gap, that entry can be detected even if the carton is resealed by overlapping the closure seal in register with a transparent seal of the same size and shape. The unauthorized entry will be evident, because the pattern on the original closure seal will not be visible through the overlaid transparent seal.

Abstract: A new film seal for providing a seal which allows a user to easily ascertain whether a roll of film has been exposed or is a new roll of film. The inventive device includes an elongate strip with an adhesive provided on one of the surfaces of the strip. The adhesive is adapted for adhesively coupling the first surface of the strip to an object. One of the ends of the strip has a lifting tab adapted for aiding the detachment of the strip from an object.

Abstract: A label which can be attached to a commercial article for the emission of an alarm signal, includes a body of the label containing a device which can be perceived by suitable detection equipment for emission of an alarm signal, a band for attachment to the article for connecting the body of the label to the article, and a structure for restraining the band and the body of the label firmly one to the other. The label body includes a housing suitable for being entered by the band. The band has an end band section and an intermediate section which oppose each other and are compressed one in relation to the other in the housing. The band has, along at least part of one longitudinal face, securing teeth so that the portions of securing teeth on the parts of the band in contact in the housing are compressed against each other in such a way as to block relative sliding of the portions of the band in the housing during an attempt to disengage the article from the band.

Abstract: An optically decodable security document is provided comprising a security image area defined on a face of the document. The security image area is divided into a plurality of image element cells defining an array of image element cells across the security image area. The image element cells define first and second diagonal axes and a cell center positioned at the intersection of the first and second diagonal axes. A first type of printed tiling element is printed in selected ones of the image element cells to define a printed security image within the security image area. A second type of printed tiling element is printed in selected ones of the image element cells to define a printed complementary security image within the security image area.

Abstract: To impede the counterfeiting of a valuable instrument (e.g., a cash card, negotiable instrument or any document), an issuance mark is formed on the instrument at a programmed distance from a reference mark located on the instrument. The information pertaining to the distance is encoded and written onto a storage medium located in the instrument. In a particular system embodying the invention, a card vending machine is programmed to encode cards with various parameters, such as the distance between the reference and issuance marks, by writing the parametric information into an information storage medium located in the card. As a corollary, in a particular system embodying the invention, a dispensing machine is programmed to read the information stored in the information storage medium and the parametric information present in the card and to then compare the stored information with the values of the actual parameters present in the card.

Abstract: A dot code recorded on an information recording medium consists of a data code corresponding to the contents of multimedia information to be reproduced, and a pattern code for determining a read reference point for the data code. The pattern code consists of pattern dots arranged at predetermined positions with respect to the data code, and markers arranged at predetermined positions with respect to the pattern dots and used to detect the pattern dots. In an information reproduction system for optically reading and reproducing a dot code from an information recording medium on which such a dot code is recorded, the dot code is imaged by an image input section. A data read reference point determining section then recognizes the pattern code from the picked-up image, and determines a data read reference point for reading the data code. A data reading section reads the data code on the basis of the data read reference point determined by the data read reference point determining section.

Abstract: A system that uses a digital postage meter or Postal Security Device to add information to the indicia that indicates that the mail piece has already been scanned. This information will inform the scanner and a human that the postage paid for, as indicated in the indicia, has been used. The foregoing is accomplished by printing a scanner readable data field in the indicia or in the vicinity of the indicia that indicates the mail piece was received. Human readable data is also printed in the indicia or in the vicinity of the indicia that indicates the mail piece was received. For instance, the word "VOID" may be written in coded form and/or in human readable form. Information regarding the canceling of the indicia is transmitted to a data center.

Abstract: A media for restricting the copying of a document utilizing one or more microdots that are embedded in said document for providing a non-visual, but machine detectable mark or marks. The detected means for detecting the presence of one or more microdots in said document inhibits a copy machine from copying the document.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for sealing pressure compensation openings in components in particular of a motor vehicle control unit. Previously, pressure compensation openings were sealed in the interior of the housing by a watertight and gas-permeable material affixed by adhesion. In accordance with the invention, the opening is sealed from the outside with a two-layered material where a wide-area first layer consists of a material that can be inscribed and a second layer, which can also be provided over just a part of the total area, is a watertight and gas-permeable membrane. At those places where pressure compensation occurs, the first layer is removed so that only the membrane acts. The first layer can be used here as a label. Advantages offered by this device are that the housing and the membrane are joined over a much larger area, the process can be monitored, and one process step is saved.

Abstract: The two symmetrical halves of halftone shapes that have a central axis of symmetry are selectively intensity modulated for accenting human readable information that is embedded in halftone patterns that are composed of halftone cells having fill patterns conforming to such shapes. This human readable information is defined by clustering these halftone fill patterns so that their accented portions visually blend to form alphanumeric character shapes.

Abstract: A security device comprises a substrate (1) having a viewing region (3) which is provided on one side with first indicia (7) and on the other side with second indicia (9) overlying the first indicia. The substrate carries an obscuring material (10) aligned with the second indicia (9) so as to prevent at least the second indicia from being viewed from the one side of the substrate under reflected radiation. The substrate is sufficiently transparent while the obscuring material permits the passage of sufficient transmitted radiation to allow the second indicia (9) to be viewed from the one side of the substrate under transmission conditions.

Abstract: A system and method for data compression of structured medical history information using multiple, updatable, static dictionaries in conjunction with an advanced probability-based model. The system is not a free text, word or phrase compressor as is presented in generalized or universal data compression systems. It employs a series of static dictionaries consisting of structured data developed from standardized medical classifications of disease, disorders, surgical procedures and medications. Prior probability information is utilized to achieve a high level of data compression of multiple data items at a time. The dictionaries are designed for flexible updating, efficient storage and retrieval, and data integrity. A portable medical card may be imprinted with the compressed medical information.

Abstract: To impede the counterfeiting of a valuable instrument (e.g., a cash card, negotiable instrument or any document), an issuance mark is formed on the instrument at a programmed distance from a reference mark located on the instrument. The information pertaining to the distance is encoded and written onto a storage medium located in the instrument. In a particular system embodying the invention, a card vending machine is programmed to encode cards with various parameters, such as the distance between the reference and issuance marks, by writing the parametric information into an information storage medium located in the card. As a corollary, in a particular system embodying the invention, a dispensing machine is programmed to read the information stored in the information storage medium and the parametric information present in the card and to then compare the stored information with the values of the actual parameters present in the card.

Abstract: A self-verifying security document, such as a banknote (1) comprises a flexible sheet formed from a plastics substrate (2) bearing indicia (3). The sheet has a window (5) of transparent plastics material which includes self-verification means (11) for verifying a security device (4) provided at a laterally spaced second portion of the sheet when the sheet is bent or folded to bring the window (5) into register with the security device (4). The self-verification means may be an optical lens (11) for reading an area of microprinting (10). In another embodiment, the self-verification means may be an optical filter (21) for viewing an area (22) printed with metameric inks. In other embodiments, the self-verification means and the security device (4) may be polarising windows (31, 32) or Moire inducing patterns (41, 42).

Abstract: A security document is prepared by designating specialized tiling elements to be printed in selected image element cells across the face of the document. In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, a method of preparing a security document is provided comprising the steps of: (i) designating a security image area on a face of a document; (ii) dividing the security image area into a plurality of image element cells, such that the image element cells define an array of image element cells across the security image area; and (iii) designating respective printed tiling elements to be printed in selected ones of the image element cells to define a printed security image and a printed complementary security image within the security image area. Individual ones of the respective printed tiling elements comprise printed units positioned within the respective image element cells.

Abstract: A media for restricting the copying of a document utilizing one or more microdots that are embedded in said document for providing a non-visual, but machine detectable mark or marks. The detected means for detecting the presence of one or more microdots in said document inhibits a copy machine from copying the document.

Abstract: A prelaminate has a plurality of layers intended for collective insertion in a mutually fixed spatial relation into the pinch between optionally heated, co-acting pressure rollers. The prelaminate includes a carrier layer, a first glue layer arranged thereon and adhered thereto, a cover foil, for instance of transparent material, such as PET, PVC or the like, and a second glue layer arranged thereon and adhered thereto. The two glue layers are directed toward each other. The layer have straight leading edges which are positioned above each other and are held in this registered position by a registering device. A rejecting device is used to prevent mutual adhesion between the two glue layers.

Abstract: A data carrier with an optically variable structure is described having an embossed screen which is combined with a coating contrasting with the surface of the data carrier in such a way that different optically variable effects occur at different angles. Embossed screen and/or coating are executed in such a way that especially striking or additional effects occur which are suitable for determining the authenticity of the data carrier but cannot be reproduced, or reproduced true to the original, with the help of copying machines.

Abstract: A self-wound, self-adhesive, resealable tamper-evident tape is provided. The tape is used to seal any container requiring a self-adhesive closure, such as bags or pouches, and provides clear visual evidence if the self-adhesive seal is peeled apart. The tape comprises a backing sheet, the upper surface of which is coated with a release layer, and the bottom surface with an adhesive. The release layer is relatively non-adherent to the adhesive so that the tape may be wound or rolled up without a separating liner. A non-visible patterned varnish layer is applied to the adhesive to create a hard surface onto which an colored ink layer is subsequently applied. The colored ink layer breaks or chips when the self-adhesive seal is peeled apart and retains this appearance if the tape is reapplied to seal the container, thereby providing visible evidence of tampering.

Abstract: A security article comprises a substrate layer having a top surface and a bottom surface. The substrate layer is composed of an electrically nonconductive material. Deposited on the top surface of the substrate layer is a conductive thin film coating having a predetermined electrical resistance between two spaced apart points. In one embodiment, the conductive thin film coating is composed of a transparent conductive compound and has a thickness in a range between about 7 nanometers to about 700 nanometers. Printing can be positioned either on top of the substrate layer or on top of the thin film coating. An adhesive can be applied on the bottom surface of the substrate layer.

Abstract: A method for deterring forgeries and authenticating signatures placed on any document or other object (collectively "Item") is disclosed. A first two dimensional bar code or forgery-proof diffraction grating pattern or similar information bearing medium (Electronic Fingerprint or "EF") is issued to a person whose signature is being protected ("Principal") by a central registrar ("CR"). A personal identification number ("PIN") which has been assigned by the CR to the Principal is encoded on the EF. The PIN remains constant and is encoded on all EFs distributed to the Principal.

Abstract: A system for exterior identification of blueprints or other cylindrically rolled documents is disclosed utilizing an identification indicium having a laterally distended bulb portion affixed to an elongated stem portion. The identification indicium is formed of a unitary piece of flexible yet durable material such as plastic, reinforced paper, cardboard, or the like. Both the bulb portion and stem portion each have a first face opposed parallel to a second face. In contact with the first face of the stem portion is a layer of self stick adhesive of an otherwise conventional type. Along the second face of the bulb portion is a writing surface used to position flat against the outside end of a cylindrical roll of documents. The stem portion extends outward from the bulb portion in one radial direction.

Abstract: An authenticable paper product is prepared from a bleached chemical papermaking furnish containing a minor but detectable amount of lignin containing fibers selected from the group consisting of mechanical, thermomechanical, chemi-thermomechanical and bleached-chemi-thermomechanical.

Abstract: A holographic anti-imitation method and device is provided, which can prevent a creative graphic design from unauthorized reproduction. The holographic anti-imitation method and device provides the creative graphic design as a hidden pattern in a synthesized image formed in a hologram that can be viewed only through a special viewing device. This allows the creative graphic design to be highly difficult to be reproduced by infringing parties. The synthesized image includes a background pattern visible to naked eyes and a hidden pattern merged into the background pattern which is invisible to the naked eyes. The hologram can be a dot-matrix hologram which is formed through laser means that generates two interfering laser beams to form a dot-matrix pattern of the synthesized image in the hologram. The hidden pattern can be viewed only through a special viewing device, such as a lenticular or a grate-like piece.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods, systems and articles of manufacture for creating and authenticating self-verifying articles. Self-verifying articles include, for example, commercial instruments (i.e., notes, drafts, checks, bearer paper, etc.), transaction cards (i.e., ATM cards, calling cards, credit cards, etc.), personal identification documents (i.e., driver's licenses, passports, personal identification papers, etc.) and labels affixed to package surfaces for identification of the package owner or sender, which, for example, may be used for verifying imported goods by customs agents. Self-verifying article creation includes receiving recipient-specific data, encoding a first selected subset of the recipient-specific data and fixing the encoded subset along with other human-recognizable data on a surface of an article.

Abstract: A method for controlling keys used in the verification of encoded information generated by a transaction evidencing device and printed on a document comprises the steps of generating a plurality of random verifier master keys to obtain a set of verifier master keys consisting of a fixed number of keys; generating at least one pointer by applying a psuedorandom algorithm to data unique to the transaction evidencing device; calculating a plurality of verifier token keys to obtain a verifier token key set corresponding to the set of verifier master keys; encrypting the verifier token key set with a privacy key; and distributing the set verifier token keys and the privacy key to verifiers. The token keys are a function of the verifier master keys and a code valid for a limited time. The pointer algorithm is an appropriate symmetric key cryptographic algorithm and the code is function of a date dependent parameter. The master keys are distributed to postal and vendor data centers.

Abstract: A method and system for verifying the authenticity and ownership of an autograph comprises:providing a consumer-owned article; andhaving the article autographed with the consumer and a representative of an authentication company as witnesses;issuing a voucher bearing details of the autographing and signatures and identification of the witnesses and an identifying code number;affixing the same identifying code number to the article;providing a certificate of authenticity bearing a distinct code number that is different from the code number of the article and the voucher, and containing a description of the article, details of the signing and witnessing of the autographing, and identification of the owner of the article; andproviding a database containing details of the signing and witnessing of the autographing, a record of the code numbers on the article and the certificate; and identification of the owner of the article.The method also provides a record of subsequent transfers of ownership of the article.

Abstract: Security paper, security documents made from the security paper, and processes for making the security paper, are provided. A filament is bonded and embedded into paper which has previously been manufactured. The filament is bonded to the paper by an adhesive, or by heat and pressure. The filament is embedded into the paper by pressure applied by rolls. The filament may be imprinted with printed matter for visual confirmation of document authenticity. The filament may include any combination of security features, such as reflective filaments, fluorescent filaments, and high tensile strength filaments.

Abstract: A security document is provided comprising human readable transaction data, a plurality of security image elements, a plurality of complementary security image elements, and an encoded information block comprising a plurality of digital glyphs printed thereon. The human readable transaction data printed on the top surface of the substrate forms a full tone image and includes an enhanced security data item. The security image elements printed on the top surface of the substrate and the plurality of complementary security image elements printed on the top surface of the substrate define a security image. The encoded information block comprises a plurality of digital glyphs printed on the top surface of the substrate and comprises encoded transaction data corresponding to at least a portion of the human readable transaction data.

Abstract: A label for a container which is at least partially translucent, an image bearing portion located on part of the label with the image bearing portion including an image which is in a visually incoherent form, and a viewing member located on another part of the label for rendering the image in a visually coherent form when the image is viewed through the viewing member. The image or message provided on said image bearing portion can be optically encoded so as not to be intelligible except when viewed through the viewing member, such as a decoding window. Encoding/decoding techniques which can be utilized include, but are not limited to, lenticular indicia and hologram indicia, both of which are decoded by using techniques "matched" to the encoding technique. The label may be integrally formed on, for example, a box-type container.

Abstract: Security paper, security documents made from the security paper, and processes for making the security paper, are provided. A groove is formed in paper and a security element is positioned or bonded within the groove. A coating is applied over the security element so that the coating covers at least a portion of the security element and is coplanar with the surface of the paper. The security element may include any combination of security features for verification of document authenticity.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention are capable of hiding a message, such as, for example, a copyright notice or other indicium of authorship, in an electronic document. An illustrative embodiment of the present invention comprises encoding an electronic document with a plurality of tags from a case insensitive markup language; and modulating the case of at least one tag character in at least one of said plurality of tags with a binary string, wherein the binary string represents a message to be hidden in the electronic document.

Abstract: A media for restricting the copying of a document utilizing one or more microdots that are embedded in said document for providing a non-visual, but machine detectable mark or marks. The detected means for detecting the presence of one or more microdots in said document inhibits a copy machine from copying the document.

Abstract: A security label has a bar code on the outer surface of an outer layer which is permanently bonded to an inner layer. A pull tab defined in the material of the outer and second layers is joined to a detachable portion extending across the length of the label whereby removal of the pull tab will tear out the detachable portion to prevent recognition of the optically readable pattern.

Abstract: A tamper indicating label including an upper sheet having an adhesive lower surface detachably attached to a backing sheet and divided into separable sections by a weakened line such that indicia such as the user's signature can be inscribed on the face of the sheet and across the weakened line such that one of the sections can be separated from the backing sheet and applied to the opening seam of an article such as a suitcase and the remaining section utilized as a receipt.

Abstract: A method for printing information on a substrate having security features includes the steps of: applying a DC potential difference (DC.sub.TB) between a back electrode and a toner delivery means to create a flow of toner particles from the toner delivery means to the back electrode; interposing a printhead structure, the printhead structure having printing apertures and control electrodes around the printing apertures, between the toner delivery means and the back electrode so as to create a spacing having a width L between the printhead structure and the back electrode and to imagewise control the flow of toner particles; passing the substrate having a thickness T in .mu.m through the spacing; adjusting the spacing between the printhead structure and the back electrode such that the width of the spacing L is greater than or equal to 1.5 T; adjusting the DC potential difference (DC.sub.TB) such that the relationship .vertline.DC.sub.TB .vertline./L, expressed in volts per micrometer (V/.mu.

Abstract: Documents bearing a thin reflective extruded security stripe comprising a leafing aluminum pigment having a gloss characteristic of from 20 to 24 as measured on a Gardner/BYK Microglass meter at a 60.degree. angle. A water soluble dye may be incorporated in the stripe. A method of making the document and a dye containing leafing aluminum pigment for extrusion on the document are also disclosed.

Abstract: A laminated multilayer film substrate for use in the production of banknotes having an oriented polypropylene layer and at least one high density polyethylene layer on each side of the oriented polypropylene layer which are preweakened to eliminate delamination. The resultant films exhibit good embossability, dead-fold characteristics and other properties, and are difficult to counterfeit, making them highly suited for the production of bank notes and other security documents.

Abstract: A document protection system is disclosed which employs a thermochromic pantograph and a validation mark. Also disclosed is a method to print thermochromic pantographs onto a substrate. A thermochromic pantograph according to the present invention has a latent image which is rendered visible when sufficient heat is applied to the document to activate the reactive properties of the thermochromic ink. The latent image could form a warning message such as "STOP" or "ALERT" which would alert recipients that a counterfeit copy has potentially been created. The thermochromic pantograph may also comprise a camouflage background pattern which conceals the printed ink of the latent image. A validation mark preferably has a latent "validation" image which can be visually identified on an original document, but which cannot be accurately reproduced by conventional copying or scanning means, and thus will not be visible on an unauthorized copy or duplicate.

Abstract: The method provides the protection or personalization of the pre-printed sheets by impressing microengravings, on all or some of the printed portions of the sheets, through an embossing process carried out on the pre-printed sheets at a temperature higher than the softening point of the dyeing substances used for obtaining the print thereon and followed by a cooling step, said microengravings corresponding to holograms or diffraction patterns or images or words.

Abstract: Security paper carries an intricate tactile surface profile pattern which has been imparted to the paper during its manufacture, at a stage after initial de-watering but before final drying, by passing the paper through a nip between a forming surface corresponding to the desired pattern and a backing surface. The tactile pattern is of excellent durability, and its intricacy offers a high degree of security. The tactile pattern is visible when viewed under low angle light, which facilitates verification or authentication of security documents made using the patterned paper.