Abstract: The present invention relates to a security element (20) for security papers, value documents and the like having a diffraction pattern that exhibits an embossed relief pattern (24, 26) and a coating layer (28, 32) that increases the visibility of the diffraction effect of the embossed relief pattern (24, 26). According to the present invention, the relief pattern (24, 26) is formed on the basis of a cholesteric liquid crystalline material (24) and the coating layer (28, 32) includes a reflective (28) and/or a high-index layer (32).

Abstract: Systems and methods for using microscopic capsules containing orientable materials for document security and processing applications are presented. A security application comprising a medium having a substrate and a plurality of microcapsules is disclosed. The microcapsules contain magnetically orientable material and a liquid. The magnetically orientable material is oriented in a first alignment. Application of a magnetic field to the medium orients the magnetically orientable material to a second alignment, thereby altering the opacity of the medium. Magnetic material may also be dragged into a concentrated arrangement by a magnetic field, thereby altering the opacity of the medium.

Abstract: The invention relates to a security element for protecting documents of value, which has magnetic material. Furthermore, the invention relates to a document of value, a transfer material and method for producing such security elements and documents of value as well as a method and an apparatus for checking such a security element or document of value. According to the invention the security element has at least two magnetic materials, wherein the magnetic materials have different coercive field strengths and are applied onto and/or incorporated in the security element in such a manner that their remanence is equally high.

Abstract: The invention relates to improvements in substrates and in particular to new substrates having magnetic and visual security features, which provide security against imitation. A security substrate comprising a transparent polymer carrier layer bearing indicia formed from a plurality of opaque and non-opaque regions and a transparent magnetic layer supported by the carrier layer containing a distribution of particles of a hard magnetic material of a size and distributed in a concentration at which the magnetic layer remains transparent.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a method and apparatus for applying magnetic ink character recognition (MICR) technology to enable the embedding of coded information within text characters of a document.

Abstract: An adhesive-backed magnetizable or magnetic article or card, the improvement wherein the article or card comprises a magnetizable or magnetic base member; a printable sheet material non-magnetic surface affixed to the magnetizable or magnetic base member; an adhesive layer containing a plurality of non-adhesive voids or openings to facilitate ease of peel and non-marring of the printable sheet material; and a backing or liner layer non-permanently bonded to the adhesive layer.

Abstract: Labels that are conducive to the detection of bar-codes and other indicia having varying spectral emissivity values are provided. The labels include a substrate, a background layer, a thermally conductive layer and an adhesive layer. The background layer is preferably similar in visual appearance to the indicium that the label is to receive. Meanwhile, the thermally conductive layer is made from a material with high thermal conductivity that is used to substantially equalize the temperature across the label surface, thereby enabling a faster and cheaper detection of transitions of differential emissivity on the indicium surface. The adhesive layer is used for attaching the label to a document or other product.

Abstract: Transaction cards having one or more folds therein for compact and easily stored transaction cards are provided. Moreover, foldable transaction cards are provided having one or more holes or apertures therein for holding key chains, or other devices for attaching the transaction cards to other items, such as sets of keys, wallets, or other items. Other embodiments include spring-loaded clips on the foldable transaction cards and protective sleeves, housings or cases for full-sized and smaller-sized cards. Still further, transaction card systems are provided comprising a case or housing for holding and/or storing foldable transaction cards therein, such as foldable transaction cards having a dimension, such as a length dimension or a width dimension, that is smaller than traditionall-sized transaction cards.

Abstract: A secrecy management information recording device has an information input section which inputs image information printed by a printer and secrecy management information corresponding to the image information, a transport mechanism which receives a printing sheet on which the image information has been printed by the printer, and discharges the sheet after passage over a heat generating resistor, and a magnetic tag forming section which controls generation of heat by the heat generating resistor according to content of the secrecy management information corresponding to the image information printed on the transported printing sheet to thermally transfer at least one magnetic member contained in a thermal transfer sheet onto the printing sheet. A magnetic tag representing the content of the secrecy management information is thereby formed on the printing sheet.

Abstract: A planar carrier for a coded card is substantially aesthetically irreversibly convertible from a substantially two-dimensional blank into a three-dimensional card enclosing gift package.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a self-adhesive or thermally bondable security document that can be affixed to an article, characterized in that it comprises at least one medium capable of receiving print on the front side, said medium having, on its reverse side, at least one self-adhesive or thermally adhesive layer and at least one marker that emits a characteristic signal by itself, such that, after the document has been bonded by means of said adhesive layer to the article, in the event of disbandment of the document at least part of said marker detaches from the medium. The invention also relates to a method of authenticating the article.

Abstract: A security element (2) comprising a reflective, optically variable surface pattern (3) which is embedded in a layer composite of plastic material and which can be visually recognized from predetermined observation directions is formed from a mosaic of optically active surface elements (13). In the mosaic of the surface pattern (3) at least two of the mosaic surfaces (11; 12) of the surface pattern (3) are arranged substantially adjacent and have microscopically fine light-diffractive relief structures (4). The spatial frequencies of the relief structures in the mosaic surfaces (11; 12) are of values from predetermined spatial frequency ranges in such a way that, in the case of illumination beams which are incident obliquely relative to a normal onto the plane of the layer composite, the relief structures of the mosaic surfaces (11; 12) deflect visible monochromatic light parallel to the normal (32).

Abstract: A combination magnetic tag (10) is described comprising an optical part (20) and a magnetic part (30), the optical part including a plurality of optical elements for conveying an optical code and the magnetic part including a plurality of magnetic elements for conveying a magnetic code, the optical and magnetic codes being mutually complementary for verifying authenticity of the tag (10). Incorporation of both optical and magnetic codes into the tag is of advantage in that they are capable of rendering the tag less susceptible to copying. The tag (10) is relevant to appropriate to anti-counterfeiting applications.

Abstract: A magnetic card of the invention comprises a card substrate 11 on which a magnetic layer 12, a thin-film layer 13 formed of a metal or a metal compound for concealing the magnetic layer, a printed layer 14 and a volume hologram layer 15 are successively provided, wherein magnetic information is recorded on or read from a volume hologram layer side. The volume hologram layer 15 is composed essentially of a photosensitive material comprising a cationic polymerizable compound, a radical polymerizable compound, a photo-radical polymerization initiator system that is sensitive to light of a specific wavelength to polymerize the radical polymerizable compound, and a photo-cationic polymerization initiator system that is less sensitive to the light of a specific wavelength but sensitive to light of another wavelength to polymerize the cationic polymerizable compound.

Abstract: Apparatus and related methods align magnetic flakes in a carrier, such as an ink vehicle or a paint vehicle to create optically variable images in a high-speed, linear printing operation. Images can provide security features on high-value documents, such as bank notes. Magnetic flakes in the ink are aligned using magnets in a linear printing operation. Selected orientation of the magnetic pigment flakes can achieve a variety of illusive optical effects that are useful for decorative or security applications.

Abstract: The invention relates to a document of value such as a paper of value or ID card with a security element having an optically variable material. Said optically variable material conveys different color effects at different viewing angles. Additionally, the security element has at least one machine-readable feature substance that does not impair the visually visible optically variable effect of the optically variable material.

Abstract: A carrier sheet comprising a printed paper sheet having an integrated detachable card with a magnetic backing and method of manufacturing same is described. The carrier sheet is comprised of a printed paper sheet having printed matter on at least a front face thereof. The printed matter contains card information printed in a card area. A polyfilm patch is adhered over the card area and over the card information printed thereon. A thin flexible patch of magnet material is adhesively secured on a rear face of the paper sheet and extends over the card area. A die-cut is made in the sheet and delineates the contour of the card area and extends through the polyfilm patch, the paper sheet and partly into the patch of magnet material to form a burstable region along said die-cut to hold the card in the carrier sheet. The die-cut can have any ornamental shape.

Abstract: A security element is equipped with first code of magnetic material and/or second code of electroconductive material and has in addition third, optically read-able code, for example as negative writing and/or as a bar code, which is present in the magnetic and/or electroconductive code or is produced preferably together with third, neutral material, the neutral material not being either electroconductive or magnetic. According to the invention it is provided that all three aforementioned materials are indistinguishable to the viewer optically, that is, with the naked eye, and therefore appear as a uniform coating made of a single material.

Abstract: The invention relates to Smart Documents to be used in various administrative, financial and other applications, in particular bank cheques and other paper value documents that require authentication, boarding passes for transport systems, documents for access functions and multipurpose uses, in particular Smart Documents that comprise a pliable thin portion (10) carrying on its front and/or rear face imprinted visible data, and a thick portion (5) wherein a magnetic strip (62) and/or storage chip (5a) of the contact and/or contactless type is/are merged. The document's thick portion (5), i.e. wherein the magnetic strip and/or storage chip is merged, is a planar card (58) attached to an edge (15) of the document's thin portion (10) in a manner allowing inclination of the card (58) relative to the thin portion.

Abstract: The present invention includes a process for making a magnetically readable card. The process includes providing a polymeric extrudable substrate material and one or more magnetic strips. The substrate is extruded in an extruder. The magnetic strips are aligned and coextruded with the polymeric substrate in the extruder to form a continuous length of magnetic strips and polymeric material.

Abstract: A security device, such as a security thread, uses multiple security detection features provided by combining metal and metal/magnetic security features on a carrier substrate. The security detection features basically comprise an optionally repeating pattern of discrete metal/magnetic indicia and discrete metal or metal-dot formed indicia. The security detection features may also include at least one metal strip extending along the length of the carrier substrate and/or a plurality of metal dots located on metal-free portions of at least one surface of the substrate.

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: A system and method for detecting parallel marketing of an item, include forming at least one of a coating and a code on the item, interrogating the at least one of the coating and said code, and determining from the interrogating whether the item has been transferred from an authorized merchant to an unauthorized merchant.

Abstract: A reading arrangement includes at least one linear detector arrangement which is arranged in parallel relationship above a reading plane and behind an optical imaging element and is oriented on to a reading region of the reading plane, lighting devices and an evaluation unit and serves for machine reading of an information strip with optically encoded information. The light which is scattered or diffracted out of the reading region in which the information strip to be read off by machine is disposed into the optical imaging element is so projected on to the photosensitive faces of the detector arrangement that an image of the reading region is formed. The detector arrangement produces two detector signals and from a comparison of the detector signals, the read information is determined and its authenticity verified.

Abstract: A security element is equipped with first code 40 of magnetic material and/or second code 30 of electroconductive material and has in addition third, optically read-able code 20, for example as negative writing and/or as a bar code, which is present in the magnetic and/or electroconductive code or is produced preferably together with third, neutral material 50, the neutral material not being either electroconductive or magnetic. According to the invention it is provided that all three aforementioned materials are indistinguishable to the viewer optically, that is, with the naked eye, and therefore appear as a uniform coating made of a single material.

Abstract: A binder has a front cover and a back cover. A first page assembly for mounting in the binder includes a first magnet. A second page assembly for mounting in the binder in an overlying relationship with the first page assembly includes a second magnet for releasably attaching the second page assembly to the first page assembly in the binder. Each one of the page assemblies may include a magnet portion, a hinge portion, and a display portion, which may be all formed as one piece. The binder has a base member, made of a magnetic material, to which the magnets are attracted to mount the page assemblies in the binder.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a magnetic printing media that is used in a laser or inkjet printer. The magnetic printing media is comprised of at least three layers, including a base layer, at least one magnetic layer, and at least one ink receptive layer. Magnetically encoded information is recorded onto the magnetic layer(s), while text and graphics are printed onto the ink receptive layer(s). In a preferred embodiment, the magnetic printing media is used to verify the authenticity of a document. In an alternate embodiment, the magnetic printing media is used to record additional information that is protected from view and from photocopying.

Abstract: A printed sheet product comprises a thin core having a pair of opposing major planar sides. A plurality of sets of variable data fields are printed on at least a first side of the core. One or more of the variable data fields of each set may be printed on the opposing second side of the core. Each set of printed variable data fields includes at least a first data field printed with a numeric code, the numeric code of each variable data field set being different from that of each other set printed on the first side of the core. Each set of variable data fields further includes a second data field printed with either a name and mailing address uniquely associated with a numeric code or with another representation of the numeric code. Where printed, the name and address of each variable data set differs from that of each other variable data set printed on the first side of the core.

Abstract: The present invention discloses: a forgery-preventive identification medium before recording comprising: a substrate containing identification elements, and a magnetic layer for magnetic signal recording, formed at the predetermined portion of the substrate, wherein the magnetic layer contains at least a MnBi magnetic powder; and a method for ascertaining the genuineness thereof.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a composite form and a method of printing the form. The composite form has a paper component and a flexible magnetic sheet component that are adhered to one another. The magnetic component is able to adhere to a ferromagnetic surface but does not adhere to other composite forms having a magnetic component through use of a shielding layer when the forms are provided in a stacked configuration for feeding into a printer. The composite form may be fed through a printer without jamming or magnetic attraction to components within the printer. The composite form is constructed to facilitate printing by having a single thickness entering the printer with a small area of overlap between the paper component and magnetic sheet component or the magnetic component may be inlaid into an opening in the paper component.

Abstract: A secrecy management information recording device has an information input section which inputs image information printed by a printer and secrecy management information corresponding to the image information, a transport mechanism which receives a printing sheet on which the image information has been printed by the printer, and discharges the sheet after passage over a heat generating resistor, and a magnetic tag forming section which controls generation of heat by the heat generating resistor according to content of the secrecy management information corresponding to the image information printed on the transported printing sheet to thermally transfer at least one magnetic member contained in a thermal transfer sheet onto the printing sheet. A magnetic tag representing the content of the secrecy management information is thereby formed on the printing sheet.

Abstract: A fluorescent or luminous composition, comprising a multilayered film-coated powder having at least two coating films on a base particle, and a fluorescent or luminous substance; the composition, wherein at least one layer of the coating films contains the fluorescent or luminous substance; a genuine/counterfeit discrimination object, in which the fluorescent or luminous composition; and a genuine/counterfeit discrimination method, comprising recognizing fluorescence or luminescence by irradiating, with a light, the genuine/counterfeit discrimination object.

Abstract: A method of covering, embedding or burying magnetically encodable regions, invisible to the naked eye at least on one side, in a magnetic/metallic security device begins by providing a security device carrier substrate having an imaged metallic region. A foil film is provided on a release coated carrier film. One or more magnetic regions are provided on either the foil film layer or the carrier substrate. Patterned, flat, or roller heated dies are used to contact and bond the foil film to the security device carrier substrate in at least those regions of the magnetic regions thereby producing a security device having covered, embedded or camouflaged magnetically encodable regions.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a magnetic printing media that is used in a laser or inkjet printer. The magnetic printing media is comprised of at least three layers, including a base layer, at least one magnetic layer, and at least one ink receptive layer. Magnetically encoded information is recorded onto the magnetic layer(s), while text and graphics are printed onto the ink receptive layer(s). In a preferred embodiment, the magnetic printing media is used to verify the authenticity of a document. In an alternate embodiment, the magnetic printing media is used to record additional information that is protected from view and from photocopying.

Abstract: A method for forming a securing label including affixing a security activating material to a substrate to form a sub-assembly label, attaching the sub-assembly label to a top label material, and cutting the top label material to form a top label where the sub-assembly label and the top label form the securing label. Attaching of sub-assembly layer includes inserting the sub-assembly layer between a paper layer and a carrier layer of the top label material which have been separated from each other and then remarried after insertion.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method and a device for the production of security elements for electronic article surveillance, the security elements being comprised of at least two layers, as well as to a web material manufactured by means of said method. The present invention proposes a simple, economical method, a corresponding device for the production of web material, as well as a web material manufactured by the method for the purposes of electronic article surveillance. With regard to the method the present invention is accomplished in that sections of a predetermined length cut from a second material web are conveyed in a direction transverse to the running direction (x) of a first continuous material web and are applied to the first material web.

Abstract: The invention relates to a security element for protecting objects which has at least one mechanically testable magnetic layer and at least one further layer consisting of a layer semitransparent in the visual spectral region. The semitransparent layer is additionally disposed over the magnetic layer so as to cover the magnetic layer. The invention further relates to a security document with such a security element.

Abstract: A security element in the form of a thread or strip to be embedded in security documents such as bank notes, checks, bonds, identity cards, credit cards or the like, having characters, patterns, etc., that are readable by transmitted light to the naked eye and/or by machine. The security element consists of a transparent plastic film having an opaque coating extending over the element with blank areas in the form of the characters and patterns to be introduced. The security element also contains, in areas congruent with the blank areas, coloring and/or luminescent substances which cause the characters and/or patterns to differ from the security document and from the opaque coating by color contrast under suitable light conditions.

Abstract: A security document (1), such as a bank note, is formed from a sheet-like substrate (10) of clear plastic material with layers (13, 14, 15, 16) of opacifying ink applied to the surfaces (11, 12) of the substrate (10). The security document (1) includes a security device (20) which is at least partially obscured by the layers (13, 14) of opacifying ink on a flat surface (11) of the substrate (10). The layers (15, 16) on the second surface (12) of the substrate (10) are applied in such a manner so as to leave a “half-window” area uncovered by opacifying ink through which the security device (20) is visible for one side of the document (1). The security device (20) may extend transversely outside the half-window area and be visible in transmission, enabling a different contrasting effect to be observed from both sides of the document.

Abstract: A security document (1), such as a bank note, is formed from a sheet-like substrate (10) of clear plastic material with layers (13, 14, 15, 16) of opacifying ink applied to the surfaces (11, 12) of the substrate (10). The security document (1) includes a security device (20) which is at least partially obscured by the layers (13, 14) of opacifying ink on a flat surface (11) of the substrate (10). The layers (15, 16) on the second surface (12) of the substrate (10) are applied in such a manner so as to leave a “half-window” area uncovered by opacifying ink through which the security device (20) is visible for one side of the document (1). The security device (20) may extend transversely outside the half-window area and be visible in transmission, enabling a different contrasting effect to be observed from both sides of the document.

Abstract: A webstock device for providing a signaling function while being relatively camouflaged includes sheet-like webstock material, a cavity in the webstock material, a signaling device at least partly contained in the cavity, and means for retaining the signaling device at least partly in the cavity. The cavity in the webstock material is closed by respective layers of material and a cover layer can be printed with desired information, instructions, etc. The signaling device may be an accousto-magnetic signaling device, an RF device or other signaling device. The invention also includes methods and apparatus for making the webstock device and methods for using the device.

Abstract: A rewritable indication device layer on which visible information is rewritably recorded and erased, is formed on a label base layer. A protection layer for protecting the rewritable indication device layer is formed on the rewritable indication device layer. The rewritable indication label for a recording medium having such structure, is adhered to a recording medium or a recording medium case.

Abstract: A planar form or structure is used to create a laminated card or other planar article. The structure and related method allow the carrier surface of the laminated article to be customized or personalized, before it is laminated, such as by adding to the carrier surface an account number, signature, address, serial number, photograph, microchip, or other planar indicia. The carrier surface is adhered to the transparent lamina across substantially all its surface area to create a strong, tamper resistant bond. The laminated card is created from a multiple-ply structure defined within the boundaries of the larger form. The multiple-ply structure has horizontal dimensions substantially corresponding to the ultimate horizontal dimensions of the laminated card or article being created. The carrier is printable and able to be laminated on both sides, yet if desired, the carrier can be limited to only a single ply, thereby reducing the thickness of the resulting laminated card.

Abstract: The invention relates to a security document with a security element having at least a first layer with gaps in the form of characters or patterns or the like, and a discontinuous magnetic layer in the form of a coding disposed below said first layer. In the areas where the gaps and the magnetic layer overlap, the gaps are also present in the magnetic layer. The invention further relates to a security element and to methods for producing said element and the document.

Abstract: Printed sheet products comprise a thin, flexible core having a pair of printable, opposing major planar sides. A set of variable data fields are printed on at least a first side of the core of each individual sheet product in bar format, character format, or both. At least two or more of the variable data fields of each set are printed with a numeric code unique to the set and individual sheet product. Each set of variable data fields may include another data field printed with either a name and mailing address or other, information uniquely associated with that numeric code or with locations to manually receive that data. Each individual sheet product is scored to at least define a plurality of removable elements, at least one of the elements containing a variable data field from the set printed on the individual sheet product. Each individual sheet product further includes at least one redeemable coupon defined by scoring to be removable from the remainder of the product.

Abstract: The magnetic powder for validity determining ink is composed of magnetic oxide powder having a Curie temperature between −50° C. and 150° C. and a mean powder particle diameter of 10 &mgr;m or less.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a plastic card comprises the steps of providing a sheet of lenticular lens material; coating the back side of the lens material with a vinyl resin base; printing the back side of the lens material with a composite lithographic image; coating the back side of the lens material with an adhesive such that it can adhere to a sheet of plastic which serves as the back of the plastic card; and laminating the sheets together.

Abstract: A security device having multiple security features is used with an item, such as a secure document, ticket, label or tag, to authenticate the item and/or encode data pertaining to the item. One example of the security device includes a carrier substrate, a metallic layer disposed on the carrier substrate, and a magnetic layer disposed on the metallic layer in substantial registration with at least a portion of the metallic layer, thereby providing both metallic security features and magnetic security features. The metallic layer and the magnetic layer also form graphic or visually identifiable indicia on the carrier substrate to provide a visual security feature. According to one method, the metallic layer is applied to the carrier substrate, the magnetic layer is applied to the metallic layer, and the layers are etched to form the graphic indicia. The magnetic layer can, in one embodiment, include a magnetic chemical resist that is printed on the metallic layer in the form of the graphic indicia.

Abstract: An apparatus for replacing a data carrier on a card is provided. A tape has a length, lengthwise edges, a width, a leading edge, a trailing edge, a front face and a rear face. A replacement data carrier is permanently mounted to the front face at a predetermined position with respect to the lengthwise edges. An adhesive material is located on the front face which adhesive is adapted to bond with a surface of the card. A system and method for mounting a data carrier to a card are also provided. A means is provided for supplying a tape. The data carrier is permanently mounted to the front face at a predetermined position on the tape. A means is provided for positioning a card in a selected relationship to the tape such that the data carrier is aligned with the rear face of the card. A means is provided for fixing the tape permanently to the rear face of the card. A means is provided for delivering the card from the fixing means to a cardholder.

Abstract: A security device having multiple security features is used with an item, such as a secure document, ticket, label or tag, to authenticate the item and/or encode data pertaining to the item. One example of the security device includes a carrier substrate, a metallic layer disposed on the carrier substrate, and a magnetic layer disposed on the metallic layer in substantial registration with at least a portion of the metallic layer, thereby providing both metallic security features and magnetic security features. The metallic layer and the magnetic layer also form graphic or visually identifiable indicia on the carrier substrate to provide a visual security feature. According to one method, the metallic layer is applied to the carrier substrate, the magnetic layer is applied to the metallic layer, and the layers are etched to form the graphic indicia. The magnetic layer can, in one embodiment, include a magnetic chemical resist that is printed on the metallic layer in the form of the graphic indicia.