Abstract: An object or document, such as a credit card, passport, or bank note, is secured against forgery or fraud by the provision of a unique pattern of overlying individual fibers which are embedded in a sheet of transparent base material, and such that the fibers form geometrical configurations which are optically scannable through a surface of the transparent base material. The object or document is thus made unique and impossible to forge, and its authenticity may be verified by initially scanning the geometrical configurations with the scanned information being converted into digital data which may be compressed and encrypted, and then stored in a permanent memory. Following the distribution of the object or document, an inspector may scan the object or document and compare the obtained data with the stored date to thereby verify the authenticity of the object or document.

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: A sheet or page of a book being self-illuminating, each such sheet utilizing electroluminescent polymer film to be illuminated as indicia or, in an alternate embodiment, as background for indicia.

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.

Abstract: Tickets for concerts, conventions, sports, and like events, have a security feature to assist in preventing counterfeiting. A stretchable security thread is disposed in a piece of paper stock extending so that it intersects, with portions lying on either side of, a line of separation in the piece of paper stock (and/or is parallel to the length of the ticket). The line of separation typically is a perforation. The security thread is a stretchable material, such as polyester, and may have microprinting. When the ticket is detached at the line of separation, the security thread does not initially separate but rather stretches to provide a visual (and tactile) indication between the separated portions of the paper stock before it breaks. Such tickets are produced from a web of material having the security threads, which web is printed, and then cut into sheets for delivery to a customer who then can apply variable printing.

Abstract: In an IC card and a manufacturing method therefor, an adhesive is applied between core layers in the vicinity of an opening in which an IC module is placed. The core sheet layers held between adhesive layers can easily be deformed when heat and pressure are applied. Therefore, a gap formed between the card substrate and the IC module is filled. Furthermore, the gap from the IC module is narrower at the corners of the IC module than conventionally shaped openings. As a result, gaps at the corners of the IC module after integral molding are prevented. Therefore, the gap between the IC module and the card substrate can be reliably filled during molding.

Abstract: In a security document having an embedded security element in the form of a transparent thread with electrically conductive material in at least two layers, at least one layer is transparent or partly transparent at least in certain areas. The partly transparent layer interacts with marks located on the thread in such a way that the marks are largely concealed in incident light but are recognizable visually in transmitted light.

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.

Abstract: A security document is equipped with a security element in the form of a thread or strip that is characterized by, among other things, the property of electrical conductivity. The security element is provided for this purpose with a metal coating associated with a second layer that is also electrically conductive but made of a material that maintains its electrical conductivity in spite of mechanical stress such as bending, stretching, etc. Breaks in the metal layer which might occur when the thread is being embedded in the security document or during daily use thus do not result in a complete interruption in the electrical connection, but are bridged by the second, electrically conductive layer.

Abstract: This invention is concerned with security paper for bank notes, cheques and like documents in a security strip of enhanced security which is more difficult to counterfeit than the present bank notes containing window threads.

Abstract: Electrolessly deposited metal holograms comprising a polymeric substrate having a holographic relief-patterned surface and a metal reflective layer electrolessly deposited to conform to and reproduce the holographic relief patterned. Light incident to the metal surface is reflected to provide an holographic reproduction of an holographic image inherent in said relief-patterned polymeric substrate.

Abstract: In a currency alarm pack, greater flexibility is achieved by multiple circuit boards and an alarm device, connected together by a thin, flexible substrate having printed conductors. The components are movable relative to one another for realistic flexure of the stack. At least two of the components are slidable relative to the stack along its direction of elongation as the stack is flexed. Portions of the substrate have tabs which extend laterally between opposed peripheral portions of adjacent intermediate sheets of the currency pack so that the alarm components are supported and can slide longitudinally as the stack is flexed. Adjacent components are connected by narrow portions of the substrate, which permit torsion of the stack. These narrow portions extend transverse to the surfaces of the currency sheets to allow the alarm components a high degree of relative movement. Compressible foam pads conceal the presence of the alarm components.

Abstract: A method of making a laminated multi-layer data carrier includes laminating a core layer, an intermediate substrate carrying an IC module, electrical contact pads, and electrical leads connecting the IC module to the contact pads, and a cover layer having contact apertures therein together under heat and pressure so that the IC module is pressed into the core layer and protected within the central core of the carrier while the contact pads are pressed outwardly into the apertures of the cover layer so that the contact pads are flush with the surface of the cover layer. Alternative embodiments are described wherein the core layer supports the contact pads in the apertures of the cover layer and where the laminating process is carried out such that the substrate is anchored between the core and cover layers.

Abstract: A method for insertion of active components in chip cards. A card is made with a cavity, whose edges are formed from a material having shape memorization properties. The initial shape of the cavity at ordinary temperature is that of a basin having dimensions for housing an integrated circuit micromodule, with overhanging edges which do not allow the micromodule to go out of the cavity or to be inserted into the cavity. The card is then plastically deformed with the overhanging edges pushed back a sufficient distance and the integrated circuit micromodule is inserted. Finally, the card is heated to a temperature at which its shape memorization effect is displayed, and the plastically deformed edges of the cavity again become elastic and resume their initial overhanging shape.

Abstract: Security papers according to the invention comprise opposed surfaces for the provision of printing to identify a document formed from the paper, and positioned at least partially between the two surfaces of the paper as a public security feature a security device of not more than 5 mm width, which device comprises a flexible, water-impermeable substrate with a layer of metal on one or both sides of the substrate, there being present on one side of the device a continuous metal path along its length, wherein said device has metal-free portions of between 10% and 50% of the area of the device, said metal-free portions along the length of the device providing a repeating pattern, design, indicia or the like with at least some of the metal-free portions across the tranverse direction of the device being wholly surrounded by metal. The metal-free portions may provide characters of a language, such as letters of the English alphabet.

Abstract: A security document comprising a flat support; one or more portions having identification codes; and a hologram; which hologram presents reference means along the edge, and a protective coating for preventing the hologram from being removed or damaged.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for checking the authenticity of documents, such as banknotes or credit-cards. The documents comprise a number of randomly distributed conductive fibres of which the distribution is scanned by microwaves and the response is transformed into a digital coded signal. A digital mark on the document, which is representative for the distribution of an individual document, is read off, transcoded, and compared with said coded signal for producing an approval signal. The use of a microwave scanning system in conjunction with documents having a random distribution of suitable fibres ensures a great repetitivity and security of the system.

Abstract: In order to increase the protection against forgery of a security paper, a security inlay made of polymer material having piezoelectric and/or pyroelectric properties is embedded in the security paper. The presence of such an inlay can be tested by means of contacting and non-contacting measuring methods.

Abstract: There is started from an entirely insulating support (2), of which a part (7, 8) is very thin; a chip (5) of an integrated circuit is arranged so that its metallizations are opposite the holes (4) provided in the thin support behorehand, and the conducting tracks (9) and the contacts with the integrated circuit are obtained in one operation by means of a conducting paste applied by screen printing, which covers the holes and penetrates into them in order to establish a contact with the chip.

Abstract: An IC card is disclosed, which comprises an IC pellet electrically connected to lead patterns via an anisotropically conductive adhesive layer. The IC pellet is also bonded to a print layer formed on an insulating film. A base sheet and another insulating film are laminated on the insulating film with the IC pellet sealed by resin in an IC pellet accommodation space formed in the base sheet.

Abstract: The invention relates to a printed security with a hallmark in the form of a coating applied in a vacuum to the surface of the security. This coating is so thin that it is almost invisible even as a metal layer, while at the same time permitting accurate automatic examination. The absorption characteristics of the security are preferably measured in a certain range of the wavelength of the spectrum.

Abstract: A method of testing a security having a mechanically testable identifying mark, for example a security thread, which has a physical property, for example electric conductivity, which can be measured without contact by means of a first field, for example, an electric field. The physical property can be reproducibly influenced by the effect of a second field, for example an electromagnetic field. If this influence takes place periodically, a signal is produced as a measured variable modulated according to the mutual effect of the two fields.

Abstract: A universal credit card is disclosed that allows a purchaser to make a credit purchase and select any one of a number of pre-established credit lines to charge the purchase to. After an imprint is made from the universal card, a number corresponding to the proper credit line is manually entered onto the charge slip in an array of dots imprinted from the credit card.

Abstract: A standardized document such as a credit card has a thin, light-transmissive, electrically conductive interior layer, the impedance, capacitance, or conductance of which can be sensed to indicate the authenticity of the document. When the document is cut to expose a new edge, the authenticating layer at that edge is not visible to the naked eye and hence should foil the ordinary counterfeiter.

Abstract: An identification card having an IC module for the processing of electrical signals. The IC module (9) and the leads (6) and contact surfaces (5, 20) necessary for the operation of the module are attached to a separate carrier (7, 17) and embedded in the identification card in such a way that the IC module is located in an area (4) of the card having the maximally permitted thickness, whereas the contact surfaces are arranged outside this area. The placement of the IC module in the elevated card area (e.g. the impressing area) allows for a thicker encapsulation of the module and correspondingly better protection against mechanical stress. On the other hand, the area of the carrier element with the contact surfaces is arranged outside the elevated area of the card, for example in the magnetic stripe area (2).

Abstract: There is disclosed an ultrathin chemically resistant marking system. The system comprises at least one layer of a chemically resistant adhesive film and printed matter which together cooperate to form a marker. The adhesive film is made of a material selected from the group of polymers which adhere to a substrate upon the application of heat and which are resistant to caustic solutions and solvents, such as methylene chloride. The adhesive film has a chemically resistant front and rear surface and an adhesive rear surface for adhering to a substrate. One of the front or rear surfaces contains the printed matter. There is also disclosed a method for producing an ultrathin chemically resistant marking system.

Abstract: A standardized document such as a credit card or drivers license contains an electrically conductive authenticating layer which is not visually discernible and has an electrical resistivity of less than 50 megohms per square. The presence of the authenticating layer may be verified by a proximity switch that can be built into mechanisms normally used in processing the document.

Abstract: A multilayer identification card is equipped with an IC module. The module is arranged on a carrier element which is located in a recess in the multilayer card. The card layers bordering the recess bear supporting layers which are thermoresistant in the range of hot laminating temperatures. This prevents the recess from becomming filled up with fluid card material during the hot laminating process, during which the card layers will soften and eventually become fluid. Thus, the IC module can advantageously give way within the recess when the card is bent. Further, the supporting layers have a stabilizing effect on the adjacent card layers and thereby prevent irregularities caused by incorporation of the carrier element from being passed onto the card surface.

Abstract: An identification article, especially an identity document, has a marked element (8), e.g. a photograph covered by a mask (2) which is normally opaque but which, upon application of a suitable electric field changes to an at least translucent state. Preferably the mask (2) complies a liquid crystal layer (16) sandwiched between two plates (5 and 7) of which one plate is at least translucent.

Abstract: This invention relates to a plastic identification card. A magnetic encoding panel is printed, preferably by screen printing. This enables the magnetic encoding panel to be applied more economically than with conventional magnetic tapes. The printing of the magnetic encoding panel is applied to a drop out area in the transparent protecting coating, followed by polishing both of the protective coating and the printed magnetic encoding panel. This greatly increases the passes through a reader prior to failure of the magnetic encoding panel.

Abstract: An identification card or similar data carrier having an IC module for the processing of electrical signals, whereby the IC module along with its leads and contacts is arranged on a separate carrier element which is embedded in the card. An anchoring element is arranged in the area of the carrier element, which anchoring element extends beyond the edge of the carrier element and is connected with the material of the body of the card. This anchoring element is preferably an integrated component of the carrier element.The anchoring element has high tensile strength relative to the material of the identification card. The connection of the carrier or anchoring element with the material of the identification card can be established by recesses or perforations in the edge of the anchoring element, which are penetrated by the material of the identification card during the laminating process, by appropriate laminating adhesives or by specific designing of the anchoring element.

Abstract: Documents are encoded with at least one thin, transparent coating, normally invisible, but having a readily detectable physical characteristic such as, electrical conductivity, electrical impedance, electrical capacitance, electroluminescence. Each document consists of a substrate on which is applied (1) at least one of the thin coatings, and (2) conventional printing, preferably intaglio. The thin coating may be applied before or after the printing. The coating includes particles driven into the surface to a substantial depth. The uncoated substrate is free of the detectable physical characteristic. The coating is confined to a limited area of the substrate surface and itself constitutes a code or is laid down in a pattern for identification. A second coating can be applied so that all areas of the surface have the same appearance to mask visual detection of the first coating.

Abstract: One or more miniaturized credit indicators are affixed to a wallet-size primary plate bearing the name, signature, picture and account number of an authorized user. Each of the indicators represent a different credit account. The indicators are locked into recessed spaces on the face of the plate. Magnetic tapes, microprocessor chips or integrated circuits imbedded in the indicators and plate provide identifying information. Means are provided for reading and decoding information stored in the plate or indicator.

Abstract: The authorization card has one or more storing zones for storing a predetermined information defining the type and/or extent of authorization, for example credit information in case of a credit card, and at least one storing zone for storing variable information associated with the owner of the card. These storing zones are adapted for automatic reading of the fixed and variable information in an automatic reading device. The authorization card has means for generating a coded information to be compared with the variable information. This coded information is manually adjusted on the authorization card by its user and is also adapted for automatic reading by the automatic reading device. Manual adjustment of the coded information is facilitated by a scale provided on the authorization card.