Abstract: Voidable articles are made with an identification code and a radiant energy responsive material coated over said code. The material is invisible and remains unactivated in ambient light but obscures the identification code upon being exposed to radiant energies such as heat or light from within a particular wavelength range. Printing can be accomplished by imaging light onto a substrate coated with photosensitive material including an infrared absorbing dye. A cancellation device for voiding documents of the present invention is made with a scanner, a comparator and a radiant energy source for exposing the document to activate the energy responsive material on the document.

Abstract: An interlaminar sandwich comprises first and second lacquer layers, a diffraction structure embedded between the first and second lacquer layers, a heat activated adhesive layer disposed one one of the lacquer layers, and a transparent stabilization layer disposed over the other lacquer layer, the stabilization layer distributing heat evenly through the interlaminar sandwich so that when heat is applied to the stabilization layer, the adhesive layer will bond the interlaminar sandwich to a substrate. Preferably, the interlaminar sandwich also contains an intermediary layer between the stabilization layer and the first lacquer layer which bonds these layers together. At temperatures below 170.degree. C., the adhesive layer is bonded so intimately to the substrate that the interlaminar sandwich cannot be removed from the substrate without tearing it. At temperatures above 150.degree. C., the lacquer layers soften, thus destroying the diffraction structure.

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: An antitheft security system is disclosed for automotive, marine, and other valuable personal articles such as objects of art and valuable collectible objects. A dealer/installer is provided with equipment comprising a main unit having a memory, a keyboard for data entry, and a visual screen for monitoring the data entry procedure and also for displaying to the dealer the precise locations on the article where it is to be marked. The unit randomly selects different marking locations on the article by calling up form its memory a programmed universe of several hundred possible marking sites for each particular type of item. An image of the item is displayed on the visual screen, which indicates the exact location where each marking is to be made. The security codes are applied by a portable hand-held marking head containing an electrostatic, noncontact ink jet spraying nozzle which invisibly microprints a unique, classified security code in a dot matrix format of alphanumeric characters onto the surface.

Abstract: A retroreflective security laminate, designed to be applied to the surface of a document over information thereon, and having a protective cover sheet comprising an abrasion-resistant outer layer and a support layer which is resistant to deformation under localized pressure. Also methods for making such laminates.

Abstract: A transparent overlay that can protect a document from tampering has a transparent cover sheet, a layer of hot-melt adhesive over one surface of the transparent cover sheet, and a polymeric image-receiving layer over the exposed face of said hot-melt adhesive layer. The transparent cover sheet can be a simple thermoplastic film but preferably is retroreflective sheeting which can bear a pattern or legend that is noticeable only when viewed retroreflectively. When the polymeric image-receiving layer is dye-receptive, it can be imaged by using a thermal printing head with a dye-donor element. A preferred polymeric image-receiving layer that is dye-receptive is chlorinated poly(vinylchloride).

Abstract: A method and product, resulting from application of the method, for making images on a document that will not be replicated properly by electro-optical scanning and copying devices. Documents that cannot be replicated by known copying machines or other replicating devices are produced according to the invention method, as well as alternative methods. All of the methods disclosed herein are instructive for making the images and art work on such documents by forming lines into various patterns in a manner imitative of intaglio or gravure printing. The pitch of the lineations is deliberately selected so as to vary minutely from the pitch of the scanning trace of various copying machines such as photocopiers, video opticons, and the like. The variation in pitch may be obtained by deliberately manufacturing the document with the desired pitch or, subsequent to the image placement therein, altering the dimensions or geometry of the document so as to effectively skew the pitch parameter.

Abstract: An identity card is provided with a character set usable as a printing block, whereby the "natural foamability" that laser action brings about in the plastic materials commonly used for identity cards, such as PVC and polycarbonate, is exploited to obtain a relief height sufficient for a clear impression of the characters. The standard total height of the embossed characters relative to the rest of the card surface is reached by an additional deformation of the card body in the embossed character area so as to form flat underlying the characters.

Abstract: An article comprising a substrate having markings which are provided by at least two fluorescent materials which have different excitation spectra in the ultraviolet region of the spectrum and different emission spectra in the visible region of the spectrum. The invention also provides a method of marking an article for identification.

Abstract: Pre-imaged high resolution transfer foil comprising a carrier having a surface. A releasable hardcoat is disposed on the surface. A vacuum coating is deposited on the hardcoat and an image formed in the vacuum coating.

Abstract: A photodiode and phototransistor are positioned on one side of a document subjected to verification for authenticity under both transmitted and reflected light. A corresponding photodiode and phototransistor on the opposite side of the document are arranged for receiving the light transmitted through the currency if the security feature is not present. A logic circuit determines the presence or absence of the security feature and correspondingly provides visual or audible indication thereof. The photodiodes, phototransistors and circuit are arranged within an enclosure that is attached to a currency receiving device such as a cash register. The visual or audible indicators are mounted on the cash register for immediate indication of the currency verification to the cashier.

Abstract: The invention relates to a security paper having a security thread embedded therein, running from edge to edge, that is printed with luminescent colors in such a way that they are invisible in normal lighting. The luminescent colors are provided along the security thread in successive overlapping portions which, when the colors are excited, have a length recognizable to the naked eye and show characteristic mixed fluorescences in the overlapping areas.

Abstract: A game or competition incorporating advertising or promotional matter. The game includes adhesive stickers to be placed on a bumper bar of a vehicle, the sticker comprising printed matter. Portions of the printing are light-fast and other portions fade in sunlight, so that after a period of time the result is determined by the light-fast printing.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a photocopy prevention film applied to a document to be protected that comprises either a volume holographic refraction grating or a surface holographic refraction grating. The refraction grating is bonded to a document and either causes normally scattered light to be focused toward the photoreceptors of a photocopy machine or causes light normally reflected toward the receptors to be scattered away from the receptors. The film is created by splitting a coherent laser beam into a reference beam and a target beam. The target beam reflects off of a special target and onto a photographic emulsion. The reference beam is also incident to the photographic emulsion. The beam reflected from the target and the reference beam create interference planes within the emulsion which can be developed to create differing refractive index planes within the emulsion or etched away to create a surface grating.

Abstract: An optically coupled data interface formed of a host device having apparatus to receive data in optical format, the host device having apparatus to impart optical data initiating signals, a portable module adaptable to interface with the host device and having an optically responsive window adapted to receive optical data initiating signals from the host device and means self-contained in the portable module controlling the optically responsive window to impart data onto optical signals receivable by the host device.

Abstract: In order to increase the protection of security documents such as ban notes, etc., against forgery, security threads are embedded in the document which have at least two areas extending in the longitudinal direction of the thread and differing in their physical properties. The thread is preferably a coextruded multicomponent synthetic thread whose individual components contain additives such as dyes or fluorescent substances and/or particles having electrical or magnetic properties. The testing of the authenticity of the security thread is directed toward the presence of these additives and their mutual geometrical distribution in certain areas of the security thread.

Abstract: A method of impressing a secret pattern on a substrate by the use of an uninked intaglio printing plate having the foreground area with a pattern of ridges and grooves which are distinctively different from the ridges and grooves in a background area enclosing the foreground area. The secret pattern may be observed only a person who is informed as to what pattern he is looking for and how to look at that pattern. Particularly, his line of sight must make a certain angle with the plane of the impressed substrate. The line of sight must also be oriented properly with respect to the background and foreground areas.

Abstract: A sheet containing an integrated-directional, half-tone image. Each sheet may contain one or more such images. Also a method for forming such images in microlens sheetings comprising directly a highly collimated light through an interposed half-tone mask.

Abstract: Personal information is recorded on an information medium containing both visual images, such as a face image or fingerprint, and laser recorded data. The visual images are created on a piece of photographic material or eye readable laser recording material. The visual image material is adhered to a surface of a wallet-size card. A strip of laser recordable optical data storage material is also adhered to the card. After the strip is put on the card, a laser records personal information indicia on the strip in situ. The strip may be a reflective material of silver particles in a gelatin matrix, in which recording produces spots having a detectable difference in reflectivity. The card may be coated with a transparent protective laminate material.

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: An identification card with high-embossed data, in which the high-embossed data are superimposed by a security pattern which is inscribed in the identification card by means of a laser beam recorder. The security pattern may be present, for example, only on the high-embossed data themselves or else cover a larger area of the card. Attempted back-embossing of the high-embossed data is immediately recognizable due to distortion of the security pattern.

Abstract: Data present on identification cards in a high-embossed form are protected against attempted forgery and falsification. This protection consists in providing on the identification card, along with the data record in a high-embossed form, a second identical data record which may be visually tested without auxiliary means and is inscribed in the identification card by means of a laser recorder.

Abstract: An identification card, in particular an all-plastic indentification card, written on by means of a laser, having user-related and user-neutral data such as a name, account number, etc. present on the surface of the indentification card in the form of local discolorations of the identification card material without any transition. Due to a local increase in tensile strength, these decolorized areas have greater resistance to mechanical changes and/or chemical solvents than the surrounding areas of the identification card made of the same identification card material. Thus attempted falsification by means of mechanical and chemical means is prevented in an especially effective way, since such attempts lead to destruction of the identification card in each case.

Abstract: A method of making a security device and the device are disclosed, wherein an embossable material is applied to a substrate in multiply connected regions. (A multiply connected region is one that has more than one continuous boundary). The regions have sufficient density of coverage to cause the embossable material to appear substantially continuous to the unaided eye. A diffractive pattern is embossed into a plurality of the regions and a transparent coating is applied thereover to bond firmly to the substrate and embossable material. Removal of the transparent coating results in observable damage to the security device.

Abstract: An information bearing credit or identification card in which pieces of a diffraction grating, preferably an embossed hologram, are randomly distributed in a plastic or paper card so that light reflecting therefrom uniquely and visually differentiates the grating and hence the card. The pieces may be mixed in the plastic pig or with the paper prior to rolling or sprinkled in the plastic or other substrate during rolling.

Abstract: A multi-layered engraved identification card includes a base layer having a first color and a color-changeable layer initially having a second color which is changeable to a third color contrasting with the first color upon exposure to radiant energy preferably having a wavelength of from 3,500 to 5,000 Angstroms, for a specified period of time. The color-changeable layer is initially prepared as a solution of a resin, a plasticizer, a radiant energy-sensitive coloring agent for causing the color change, and a solvent in which both the base and the resin of the solution are soluble. Alternatively, the solution may further include a cross-linkable plasticizer with a peroxide to cause the resin of the solution and the plastic of the base to be cross-linked and hence bonded permanently to the base.

Abstract: A security blank is formed with a light-redirecting spatial structure including a deterministic component establishing at least one authenticating feature, and a stochastic component superimposed on the deterministic component, and sufficiently obscuring the deterministic component so as largely to frustrate recognition of the function of the authenticating feature by intensity measurement of light reflected therefrom. Recognition of the function of the authenticating feature is made possible by a method and an apparatus measuring the degree of coherence of two narrow bundles of light rays obtained from light reflected from the spatial structure upon its illumination by light of a selected wavelength.

Abstract: Security for a package or verifying seal in plastic material is provided by a print seal with unique thermally produced imprints in the plastic. If tampering is attempted, the material is irreparably damaged and thus detectable. The pattern of the imprints, similar to "fingerprints" are recorded as a positive identification for the seal, and corresponding recordings made to allow comparison. The integrity of the seal is proved by the comparison of imprint identification records made by laser beam projection.

Abstract: A black and white microfilm reproduction is made of a person or their photograph and accompanying text data. A sheet of multicolor photographic paper then is exposed to the black and white image carried on the microfilm and to another color film carrying a multicolor security pattern, mark or the like. The paper then is developed to produce the document having a black and white image of the person to be identified and accompanying text data together with overlying multicolor security pattern. The security pattern has lines that vary in color along their lengths independently of one another.