Abstract: A user purchases a card and uses it to make pre-paid telephone calls via a telephone service provider system associated with the issuer of the card. After the account balance on the card is depleted, the user can present the card to a merchant or other party for redemption in the manner of a discount coupon for products or services.

Abstract: A label for attachment to a substrate, including a flexible magnet having printed material on one surface. The label consists of a thin, flat, flexible magnet having a first surface and a second surface, printed material attached to the first surface of the flexible magnet, a transparent covering attached to the printed material, a clear base material attached to the second surface of the magnet, a clear film easily separable from the clear base material, an adhesive backing attached to the clear film, and a liner material covering the adhesive backing. The liner material may be removed from the adhesive backing whereby the label may be applied to a substrate by means of the adhesive backing. After separating the clear film and clear base material the clear base material covers the second surface of the magnet and the clear film covers the adhesive backing applied to the substrate.

Abstract: The invention relates to a security document, in particular a bank note, identity card or the like, provided with a magnetic security element. The security element preferably consists of a carrier foil having applied thereto a magnetic material whose coercivity is between 10 and 250 oersteds (Oe).

Abstract: A biaxially oriented sheet of a biodegradable thermoplastic resin composition containing a lactic acid polymer is used as a structural materials for a supporting substrate of a biodegradable card. The lactic acid polymer has a number average molecular weight of from 10,000 to 1,000,000. The thermoplastic resin composition may preferably be mixed with a modifying biodegradable resin. In another embodiment, the biaxially oriented sheet of the biodegradable thermoplastic resin composition may preferably be covered with the modifying biodegradable resin. The biodegradable lactic acid polymer or the modifying biodegradable resin is also used as a polymeric binder of an information recording layer provided on the surface of the supporting substrate.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a key locator (10) having a tag (12). A key attachment means (14) is securely attached to the tag (12) and at least one key (16) is securely attached to the key attachment means (14). At least one set of instructions (18) are inscribed on the tag (12). The tag (12) includes a mailing address (20) having mailing address postage indicia (20A) inscribed on the tag (12). A microchip (22) which comprises an user's personal identifier therein embedded with the tag (12). A bar code (24) which comprises an user's personal identifier therein inscribed on the tag (12), along with a magnetic strip (26) which also has an user's personal identifier therein recorded. A method is included describing the method to record the user's personal identifier onto the tag (12).

Abstract: The invention relates to an identity card or similar data carrier having a copy protection element. The copy protection element contains a metal layer in which markings are incorporated with the aid of a laser beam by completely removing the metal layer in the area of the markings. The copy protection effect is produced by combining at least partial areas of an additional layer with the metal layer so that the marks are not electrophotographically reproducible, or not in accordance with the original, as such or in combination with the metal layer.

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 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: An antifalsification paper having a security element in the form of a thread or band that consists of a translucent plastic film with an at least partly opaque coating. The coating has translucent areas in the form of visually and/or machine readable characters or patterns that form first information. In addition second information in the form of visually and/or machine readable characters or patterns is disposed on the plastic film, differing from the first information with respect to its size and/or visual impression.

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: A product label containing information about a merchandise item which can be exchanged with a terminal or server. In its simplest form, the product label includes a memory and a connector coupled to the memory. In another form intended to be inaccessible to a user of the item, it includes a memory, a processor, a transceiver, and a power supply. In yet another form intended to be accessible to a user of the item, it includes a memory, a processor, a transceiver, a power supply, and a display. The product label is permanently affixed to the merchandise item. The stored information may include purchase and exchange information, as well as instructions for use.

Abstract: A magnetic element comprising a thin film having a uniaxial magnetic anisotropy partly disposed on a polymer substrate. The magnetic element exhibits a discontinuous magnetic reversal under an applied magnetic field having a magnitude that is not smaller than a predetermined value. Despite its simple structure, the magnetic element exhibits excellent magnetic characteristics. Furthermore, the magnetic element exhibits little variation in magnetic characteristics and its magnetic characteristics are therefore high reproducible.

Abstract: This invention relates to a magnetic stripe comprising a medium in which magnetized particles are suspended and in which the encoded information is recorded by actual physical rotation or alignment of the previously magnetized particles within the flux reversals of the stripe which are 180.degree. opposed in their magnetic polarity. The magnetized particles are suspended in a medium which is solid, or physically rigid, at ambient temperatures but which at moderately elevated temperatures, such as 40.degree. C., is thinable to a viscosity permissive of rotation of the particles therein under applications of moderate external magnetic field strengths within acceptable time limits.

Abstract: A method for confirming the authenticity of an article including placing a semi hard piece of material on an article then printing a magnetic pattern on the semi hard piece of material. In order to view the pattern, a viewer containing a suspension of materials will be placed over the semi hard piece of material. The suspension of materials will then orient in the presence of a magnetic field adjacent to the magnetic material.

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 magnetic element comprising a first thin film and a second thin film having a coercive force that is greater than the coercive force of the first thin film formed on a substrate. The magnetic element exhibits a continuous magnetic reversal under an applied alternating magnetic field having a magnitude that is smaller than the coercive force of the second thin film to cause said first thin film to undergo magnetic reversal. The magnetic element also exhibits a discontinuous sudden magnetic reversal under an applied alternating magnetic field having a magnitude that is greater than the coercive force of the second thin film. The configuration of the magnetic element has little effect on discontinuous magnetization response. Thus the magnetic element exhibits good magnetic characteristics even when formed in a small size.

Abstract: A printed sheet product is formed by a core of printable sheet material having a pair of opposing major planar sides. At least one side bears printing. A plurality of magnetizable stripes are laid down over at least one major side of the core in spaced parallel lines extending across the one major side of the core. Scoring extending sufficiently through the sheet product including the core and each of the magnetizable stripes to define a plurality of tag elements removable from the sheet. The tag elements are of an identical shape. Each tag element bears at least part of at least one of the magnetizable stripes and part of the printing. The scoring further defines a hole extending transversely through each removable tag element of the sheet. The printing includes a unique code in characters, bar codes or both. Labels bearing the same codes can be simultaneously prepared by the printing and scoring of the core and providing a pressure sensitive adhesive layer on the sheet product behind each label.

Abstract: The invention relates to a security document, in particular a bank note, identity card or the like, having a security element which is provided with characters, patterns, etc., visually readable at least in transmitted light and which is electrically conductive and bears additional substances for machine testing, and to a method for producing such a security element. The security element preferably consists of a transparent film strip that bears negative writing readily capable of visual checking and is additionally provided with electrically conductive and magnetic substances.

Abstract: A method for fabricating an instantaneous use identification bracelet is provided whereby, during the process of issuing and manufacturing the identification bracelet, the necessary information to be incorporated on the bracelet and the fastening means therefor are provided to the bracelet.

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: A large number of magnetic polymer elements are distributed at random in a base material of a object to be checked. Each magnetic polymer element includes an element main body formed of a high-molecular material, such as an acrylic resin, and magnetic metal powder contained therein. The base material is formed mainly of paper, and the magnetic polymer elements are incorporated together with wood pulp fibers in the base material. The elements and the fibers are tangled with one another in three dimensions. Indication data including figures, symbols, etc., such as post position numbers and bet numbers on betting tickets for publicly-managed gambling, are printed on the object.

Abstract: A magnetic recording layer is provided on a base, and a thermosensitive recording layer is provided on the magnetic recording layer through a thermoplastic layer. The thermosensitive recording layer is a coating layer which is mainly composed of low melting point non-magnetic metal powder having shape anisotropy and a binder. The thermoplastic layer is prepared from a material having a melting temperature which is lower than that of the non-magnetic metal powder forming the thermosensitive recording layer, in a thickness of 1 to 20 .mu.m. Information is printed on the thermosensitive recording layer with a thermal head.

Abstract: A plastic card provided with a magnetic stripe, which is very difficult to forge or alter and, even tough subjected to forgery or alteration, enables the forgery or alteration to be easily detected in appearance. The plastic card includes a card substrate and a hologram-magnetic stripe including, provided on said card substrate in the following order, an adhesive layer, a first magnetic recording layer, a second magnetic recording layer, a transparent continuous thin film layer and a hologram forming layer. The first magnetic recording layer and the second magnetic recording layer are such that one of the magnetic recording layers has a coercive force at least twice as high as the other magnetic layer and a Curie point at least 100.degree. C. below the other magnetic layer and, when the magnetic recording layers are heated at a temperature in the range of from the lower Curie point to 30.degree. C.

Abstract: A magnetic powder containing MnBi, in which an average particle size of the magnetic powder is from 0.1 .mu.m to 20 .mu.m; a coercive force is from 3000 to 15,000 Oe at 300 K. and 50 to 1000 Oe at 80 K. when measured with applying a magnetic field of 16 KOe; an amount of magnetization is from 20 emu/g to 60 emu/g when measured at 300 K. with applying a magnetic field of 16 KOe; a degree of decrease of an amount of magnetization is 40% or less after being maintained in an atmosphere of 60.degree. C. and 90% RH for 7 days; and a content of metal bismuth (Bi) satisfies the following equation: Metal Bi/(MnBi+metal Bi)<0.

Abstract: A system for the automated production of an identification card includes a two-part security media and apparatus for printing, laminating and die-cutting the security media to form discrete identification cards. The two-part security media includes a continuous web of an opaque backing film, and a continuous web of a clear cover film which acts as a receptor for receiving a thermally printed digital card image. A first thermal web printer is operative for printing a reversed digital card image onto an inner surface of the cover film adjacent a terminal end thereof. A second thermal web printer prints a second image onto the back of the backing film at a terminal end thereof. The printed ends of the backing and cover films are advanced to a cutting station wherein they are aligned in overlying relation and severed from their webs.

Abstract: A magnetic fingerprint image is implemented by having the user coat his finger tip with a magnetic powder and transferring the powder particles to the document surface. The magnetic fingerprint image is then covered by a thin, non-removable, plastic film that is optically opaque but is magnetically transparent. The print is scannable by a magnetic head whose output signal consists of a sequence of electrical waveforms characteristic of the ridges and depressions that define the fingerprint. The fingerprint image may be angularly rotated about an axis perpendicular to the plane of the print prior to fixing the fingerprint image onto the document. Because the image is covered by the opaque film, the outside observer cannot determine the angular orientation of the image relative to the document edge. A magnetically encoded "address" readable by the scanning magnetic head before it reads the magnetic fingerprint itself, informs the scanning apparatus of the fingerprint angular orientation.

Abstract: A large number of magnetic polymer elements are distributed at random in a base material of a object to be checked. Each magnetic polymer element includes an element main body formed of a high-molecular material, such as an acrylic resin, and magnetic metal powder contained therein. The base material is formed mainly of paper, and the magnetic polymer elements are incorporated together with wood pulp fibers in the base material. The elements and the fibers are tangled with one another in three dimensions. Indication data including figures, symbols, etc., such as post position numbers and bet numbers on betting tickets for publicly-managed gambling, are printed on the object.

Abstract: The invention relates to a security document, in particular a bank note, identity card or the like, having a security element which is provided with characters, patterns, etc., visually readable at least in transmitted light and which is electrically conductive and bears additional substances for machine testing, and to a method for producing such a security element. The security element preferably consists of a transparent film strip that bears negative writing readily capable of visual checking and is additionally provided with electrically conductive and magnetic substances.

Abstract: Magnetic recording media comprising an ordered, ultra-high density array of 500 .ANG. diameter circular magnetic thin film islands on a substrate. The magnetic material supports magnetization perpendicular to the film plan, and each circular island comprises a single magnetic domain and a single information storage bit. An areal bit density of 10.sup.11 bits/in.sup.2 can be achieved by such an array. The magnetic array is generated using a single level mask comprised of a self-ordering polymer array, either an array of polymer spheres or a regular array of polymeric blocks in a phase-separating polymer film.

Abstract: A bank or identity type of magnetic card contains ferromagnetic elements that selectively absorb waves at microwave frequencies. The disclosure also relates to a reading device adapted to this card. The device has an active system and a resonant system capable of filtering the microwaves at the resonance frequencies of the ferromagnetic materials of the card to be read. The reading device, equipped with a system to measure the amplitude of the microwaves, can thus recognize the magnetic information elements on the card, through the disturbance or non-disturbance of the microwaves during the insertion of the card into the device. The value of the encoding of the card lies in fact that the information elements are hard to destroy.

Abstract: A low Curie temperature magnetic material (such as chromium dioxide) is used as a magnetic pigment to validate valuable documents such as banknotes. CrO.sub.2 is very black in color and is an excellent magnetic recording medium, and has a Curie temperature of 128 degrees C. A region of a banknote or other valuable document is printed with an ink containing CrO.sub.2 particles. To test the validity of the document, the magnetic media on the document is subjected to magnetic field having a characteristic spatial pattern; the field of a permanent magnet having alternating magnetic poles is a convenient field source. The banknote, and its magnetized region, is then brought to a temperature of at least 128 degrees C, which is readily accomplished by use of a heat lamp, and the region inspected with a magnetic field sensitive optical reader. If it is a genuine bill whose magnetized region was printed with an ink containing CrO.sub.

Abstract: A security element for use in a security document such as a bank note, identity card or the like includes at least a partial metallic coating on a substrate and wherein the metallic coating includes recesses in the forms of characters or patterns that are visually recognizable at least in transmitted light and a magnetic coating of soft-magnetic pigments disposed in overlying relationship with the metallic coating. A security document containing the security element is also described.

Abstract: An optical recording medium for storing data is provided having a visible logo on a read side of the medium for providing some anticounterfeiting protection. A logo coating for producing the visible logo is carded by the read-side of the substrate; the coating has a sufficiently high transmittance at a read or write wavelength such that light at the read or write wavelength passing through the logo coating toward the other side of the substrate and reflected back through the logo is substantially transmitted and unchanged by the coating so that the data can be detected as well the coating is sufficiently light absorbing in the visible spectrum such that there is a visible contrast between the recording coating and the logo coating. In another embodiment, the logo coating forms a portion of a reflective recording layer on the other non-read side of the substrate. In this case, the logo coating is visually distinguishable from the rest of the recording layer and is made of a different material.

Abstract: The article includes a substrate which is composed of a single ply that contains both a structure for generating a viewable optically variable effect, such as a hologram, and carries an indicia receptive coating. The indicia receptive coating covers the single ply such that at least part of the optically variable effect is visible. The indicia receptive coating may receive printed indicia such as security indicia, alphanumeric character shapes, symbols, and bar codes. The article with the single ply that contains viewable optically variable effect and also carries the printed indicia, is more tamper resistant than previous identification documents. It is very difficult, if not impossible, to alter the printed indicia without also altering the structure that generates the viewable optically variable effect or vice versa.

Abstract: A magnetic recording medium is made by applying a coating mixture having magnetic particles dispersed in a binder and drying the coating mixture so as to produce a coding layer containing tamper-proof identifier coding information comprising designed patterns, letters, numerals and bar-code type patterns. Another magnetic layer for recording regular magnetic data can be provided above or below the coding layer. The coding information can neither be read or altered by ordinary magnetic reader. The magnetic recording medium is therefore useful for such applications as shopping cards, pre-paid cards, retail store cards; financial cards including credit cards, insurance cards; travelling cards including transit passes, tickets; and identification cards including passports, birth certificates and other personal identification cards.

Abstract: A number of high-permeability magnetic elements are dispersed in a scanning region of a checking object. A core of a processing apparatus is provided with an exciting coil and a sensor coil. When a bias magnetic field is applied to the core, and the scanning region is passed in the vicinity of a gap, the permeability of the gap varies depending on the density of the magnetic elements, so that a magnetic flux passing through the core changes. A detection signal corresponding to the change of the magnetic flux is detected by means of the sensor coil. This detection signal is converted into a cipher code and then recorded in a code indicator section of the checking object.

Abstract: There is discloses a magnetic recording sheet comprising a substrate, a magnetic recording layer formed on one side of the substrate, an image recording layer formed on the other side of the substrate, a first subbing layer formed between the substrate at the magnetic recording layer, and preferably, a second subbing layer formed between the substrate and the image recording layer, said magnetic recording layer comprising a magnetic powder and an aqueous binder, said image recording layer comprising a binder, and said first and second subbing layers comprising a styrene-butadiene latex having a gel content of 5 to 75%. This magnetic recording sheet can be obtained without any trouble in its production process and is excellent in dimensional stability, magnetic recording properties, image-recording properties, etc.

Abstract: This invention provides a magnetic recording medium wherein visible patterns can be written, in which a heat sensitive layer is formed on a magnetic recording layer and a metallic thin layer is formed on said heat sensitive layer. The metallic thin layer of said magnetic recording medium can by roughed by using a material containing minute particles to form a roughed heat sensitive layer on the magnetic recording layer and then depositing the metallic thin layer on said heat sensitive layer. In using said magnetic recording medium, information corresponding to at least a part of the information recorded in the magnetic recording layer can be written as visible patterns.

Abstract: With an automatic wicket apparatus, a commutation ticket is provided With a second record section for recording a character pattern corresponding to information for entrance or exit in the form of a magnetic latent image, besides a first record section for encoding and recording the information for entrance or exit. At the time of entrance, a character pattern including the date of entrance and entraining station name is recorded as a magnetic latent image in the second record section. At the time of exit, a character pattern including the date of exit and alighting station name is recorded as a magnetic latent image in the second record section. In case of suspicion, the character pattern in the form of a magnetic latent image in the second record section of the record medium is visualized by using a magnetic latent image-visible image conversion member.

Abstract: A plastic card provided with a magnetic stripe, which is very difficult to forge or alter and, even tough subjected to forgery or alteration, enables the forgery or alteration to be easily detected in appearance.The plastic card comprises a card substrate and a hologram-magnetic stripe comprising, provided on said card substrate in the following order, an adhesive layer, a first magnetic recording layer, a second magnetic recording layer, a metallic reflecting layer and a hologram forming layer. The first magnetic recording layer and the second magnetic recording layer are such that one of the magnetic recording layers has a coercive force at least twice as high as the other magnetic layer and a Curie point at least 100.degree. C. below the other magnetic layer and, when the magnetic recording layers are heated at a temperature in the range of from the lower Curie point to 30.degree. C. below the lower Curie point, they become substantially identical to each other in saturation writing current value.

Abstract: A rigid card has ammunition identification indicia and weapon identification indicia imprinted thereon. The card also bears a computer readable magnetic strip with the same information. The card is to be presented when an attempt is made to purchase ammunition. Purchase of a specific caliber of ammunition suitable for use in the weapon will be allowed only if an accessed data bank indicates that the weapon noted on the card is registered.

Abstract: A method of facilitating marking of a document, and reading the markings on the marked document, utilizes conventional magnetic reading equipment. First indicia inviting marking of a first face of a document substrate is imaged on that face, while on the second, opposite face, in alignment with the first indicia, dense magnetic electronic imaging toner spaced elements are imaged. The toner is not heat fused. A second substrate portion is disposed in contact with the second face of the first substrate portion, and by rubbing on the first face (as with a pen or pencil) magnetic toner is transferred to the second substrate. The transferred magnetic toner is then sensed, through the paper forming the substrate, automatically. A business form is constructed typically by C-folding a single sheet of paper, imaged as described, about a fold line disposed between the first and second substrate portions.

Abstract: The invention relates to a high density high energy magnetic memory card. The card is provided throughout or part of at least one of its surfaces with a recording medium which contains magnetic particles having a coercitive field higher than 4000 Oe (320 kA/m), which has no overlying layer and which has a density of information higher than 5 kbits/cm.sup.2, an electric wear corresponding to an electric signal loss equal to or lower than 5% for 2000 passages, a mean arithmetic rugosity lower than 10 nm, an abrasivity lower than 600 .mu.m, and a streak resistance lower than 1.5 .mu.m. Application to portable files and access controls.

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

Abstract: A financial transaction document, such as a check, is manufactured by dividing the clear band of the document into two parallel portions. The first portion is printed with ferrous loaded ink to produce the standard MICE encoded financial information currently employed in such transaction documents. The second band, located either directly above or directly below the first band, has symbols printed with non-ferrous inks in specific locations. A system is employed to read the information in both bands, and to differentiate between properly printed documents, using the ferrous and non-ferrous printing in adjacent bands, from improperly printed documents which do not employ this printing technique.

Abstract: Disclosed is a magnetic card which comprises a substrate of a thermoplastic resin and a magnetic recording layer provided on the whole surface of at least one side of the substrate, wherein necessary matters such as letters and figures can be formed in a given area by embossing treatment, and wherein the magnetic recording layer consists of a magnetic film which contains 70% by weight or more of magnetic powders having a coercive force of 300 Oe or higher and which has a tensile break elongation of 50% or more.

Abstract: The invention relates to a security document, in particular a bank note, identity card or the like having a security element which is provided with characters, patterns, etc., visually readable at least in transmitted light and which is electrically conductive and bears additional substances for machine testing, and to a method for producing such a security element. The security element comprises a transparent film strip that bears negative writing readily capable of visual checking and is additionally provided with electrically conductive and magnetic substances.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a polyester film having an antistatic highly adhesive layer and a process for producing the film, said layer comprising a copolymer (A) and a (co)polymer (B), said copolymer (A) being obtained by copolymerizing ##STR1## N-methylol acrylamide, and optionally an ethylenic compound having a carboxy group, and optionally a comonomer, and said (co)polymer (B) being obtained by copolymerizing ##STR2## and optionally a comonomer. The polyester film of the present invention is useful for magnetic cards and the like.

Abstract: A security element that can be embedded in the form of a thread or strip in a security document, in particular a paper of value, is composed of two carrier sheets, each of which bears each of the marking substances allowing for detection of authenticity. The two carrier sheets are put together in such a way that the marking substances to be protected from mechanical abrasion and other external influences come to lie on the inside.The thread not only offers special protection for the marking substances, but can also be embedded in the paper substance easily due to its symmetrical structure and without showing any tendency to curl.

Abstract: Stamps such as postage stamps, fee stamps, etc., involve the problem of being machine testable with respect to their position on the carrier and their authenticity, and of assuring that they can only be used once. A stamp is proposed with characterizing printing thereon and an adhesive layer for attaching it to a carrier, said stamp containing a machine-testable marking material suitable for automatic processing, the marking material being provided in the adhesive layer.