Abstract: There is provided a security document (10) bearing an image (16) associated with an active substance, wherein the active substance is responsive to tactile pressure (18) in the range 0.01-1O MPa to alter the appearance of the image particularly when viewed under ultraviolet radiation (14). The active substance can be incorporated in an ink forming at least part of the image, in one or more layers associated with or beneath the image, or incorporated within a polymer, or adhesive associated with the image. The active substance comprises at least one of the following: organic or inorganic dye or dyes, chromophore(s), multi-chromophore(s), lumiphore(s). A layer incorporates a UV filter capable of being rendered inoperative in response to pressure, such that tactile pressure thins this layer so that the UV are no longer blocked and reach the lumiphore layer.

Abstract: Disclosed is a composite security element and a method for applying the same to a substrate (e.g., paper). The composite security element has a first pattern mark and a second pattern mark. The first pattern mark is marked in first (active) marking material (e.g., ink) and the second pattern mark is marked in second (passive) marking material. When exposed to light or radiation at wavelengths in the visible spectrum, the first and second pattern marks are indistinguishable from one another (to a naked human eye). When exposed to radiation at at least some wavelengths outside of the visible spectrum, the first and second pattern marks are distinguishable from one another (e.g., first pattern reacts to non-visible light). The first pattern mark may be a security mark or symbol, for example. The marking materials may be colorless. Both first and second pattern marks are also associated with similar gloss.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a security element for securing valuable articles, having an optically variable layer (20) that imparts different color impressions at different viewing angles. According to the present invention, in a covering area (32), a semi-transparent ink layer (34) is disposed on top of the optically variable layer (20), the color impression of the optically variable layer (20) being coordinated with the color impression of the semi-transparent ink layer (34) in the covering area (32) when viewed under predefined viewing conditions.

Abstract: Miniature diplomas and/or miniature transcripts may be printed on PVC plastic cards using an ID card printer. The front of a miniature diploma may display or image of a regular diploma, including scanned signatures of school officials. The front of a transcript may display dates of attendance, courses taken, grades, and scanned signature of a registrar. A plurality of information may furthermore be printed on card backs. An ID card printer with or without a lamination module may be used. Methods are furthermore disclosed for planning the tasks related to printing miniature diplomas and/or miniature transcripts onto PVC plastic cards.

Abstract: The invention relates to a thin-film element (30) with multilayer structure for security papers, value documents and the like, which, upon viewing in incident light, appears gold-colored and which as at least two semitransparent mirror layers (34, 38) and at least one dielectric spacer layer (36) arranged between the at least two mirror layers, so that, upon measuring the transmission of unpolarized light in the blue wavelength range from 420 nm to 490 nm, there is found a resonance with a full width at half maximum of 70 to 150 nm.

Abstract: A forgery-resistant document, particularly for securities, which comprises a sheet- like medium having at least one first region which has at least one first graphic marking which is visible in transmitted light, and at least one second region which has at least one second graphic marking visible in transmitted light or in reflected light and different from the first graphic marking, the first graphic marking cooperating with the second graphic marking as a consequence of the at least partial superimposition of the first region with the second region so as to provide at least one graphic representation that is visible in transmitted light.

Abstract: The invention relates to a security element for security papers, value documents and the like with at least one microstructure which has a visual appearance that is viewing angle-dependent in transmission, whereby the at least one microstructure is formed from an arrangement of a multiplicity of structure elements with a characteristic structure spacing of 1 ?m or more. According to the invention it is provided that the security element contains at least one motif image which, through the viewing angle-dependent visual appearance of the microstructure, is visible in transmission from certain viewing angles, and invisible in transmission from other viewing angles, and that the microstructure and the motif image together have a thickness of 50 ?m or less.

Abstract: A security document precursor including one or more lamellae provided with two or more holes near a perimeter edge surface of the precursor, wherein the holes perforate the largest surface of the one or more lamellae, and wherein at least one of the holes is filled with a coloured material which differs in colour from at least one of the one or more lamellae, such that the coloured material is visible from a direction perpendicular on the perimeter edge surface; wherein at least one of the one or more lamellae is transparent or translucent: or wherein at least one of the one or more lamellae is opaque and the opaque part of the at least one of the one or more lamellae between the perimeter edge and the hole filled with a coloured material has been removed. A security document and a method of preparing the security document precursor are also disclosed.

Abstract: A security film including, in order, a transparent biaxially oriented polyethylene terephthalate support (1), a subbing layer (2, 2?) and a laser markable layer (3, 3?) comprising a laser additive and one or more polymers selected from the group consisting of polystyrene, polycarbonate and styrene acrylonitrile.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a data carrier, especially a value document, such as a banknote, an identification card or the like, having a security element (20) that exhibits a print image (22) and a laser marking (24) at least partially overlapping the print image (22). According to the present invention, the security element (20) further exhibits, at least partially overlapping the print image (22), a laser modification area (26) that is in register with the laser marking (24) and in whose overlap area (28) with the print image (22) the visual appearance of the print image (22) is modified by the action of a laser beam.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to a security element for authenticity verification, in particular, of security documents, banknotes, valuable documents, coins, chips, commodities, design elements, data carriers and similar objects.

Abstract: A security element for marking, authenticating or identifying objects or living beings, such as people, animals or plants is provided that includes one or more layers of materials that are arranged next to or on top of each other or that overlap, which have security markings. At least one layer of the security element has, at least regionally, a crackle pattern in form of tears or cracks, nicks, wear areas or shrinkages and possible impurities, which can be scanned and detected together or separately as security features. A method for producing such a security element and to a use thereof for authenticating a person or an object, or for authorizing, triggering, continuing, carrying out and ending an action is also provided.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus and a method for automatically checking sheet-shaped documents of value. According to the present invention a simply constructed measuring apparatus can be obtained, by the measuring apparatus evaluating measuring values e.g. at least two measuring frequencies and the position of one or a plurality of discrete measuring tracks being determined in such a way that at least the presence of two different not visible spectral properties of a predetermined type of authentic documents of value can be checked.

Abstract: A method of forming a film of photonic crystal material. A first process is performed upon a material capable of having a photonic crystal structure, this process causing deformation of the material so as to form a film in which incident light received by the material is selectively reflected or transmitted to generate a first optical effect in the film. A second process is performed upon substantially all of the film which applies a shear stress to the film. This causes a change in the material structure so as to generate a second optical effect in the film, different from the first optical effect, in response to incident light. Security films, devices, articles and documents formed using the method are also discussed.

Abstract: The invention relates to a multi-layer body (1) comprising a first layer (13) having a multiplicity of first zones (21), which are respectively separated from one another by one or a plurality of transparent second zones (22). The multi-layer body has a second layer (14) composed of a transparent material, said second layer being arranged below the first layer (13), and a reflection layer (15) arranged below the second layer (14). The second layer (14) has a multiplicity of third zones (23), in each of which a microstructure (17) is impressed into the interface—facing away from the first layer—between the second layer (14) and the reflection layer, which is covered with the reflection layer (15).

Abstract: An authenticatable object comprises a surface having a latent hidden image embossed therein. The latent image is an encoded version of an authentication image and comprises a plurality of elements applied to the surface with a predetermined frequency. The latent hidden image is configured for optical decoding by a decoder having a decoder frequency corresponding to the predetermined frequency.

Abstract: The invention relates to improvements in security features which comprise at least one printed image and, in particular, to such security features which provide an improvement in the resolution of printed images forming security features using inks, pigments or printing processes which do not lend themselves to the production of sharply defined or high resolution images. The security feature comprises an opaque first image and a second image at least partially overlying the first image, the second image being a printed image which has a lower visual resolution than the first image. The formation of the second image is such that, when the security feature is viewed in transmitted and/or reflected light, only the shape of the first image is readily discernable.

Abstract: A method of visualizing a latent image includes: preparing a latent image composed of a plurality of paramagnetic seeds immobilized on a base in the form of an image, and a dispersion liquid of paramagnetic colloidal particles; immersing the latent image in the dispersion liquid of paramagnetic colloidal particles; and applying a magnetic field to the latent image and the dispersion liquid of paramagnetic colloidal particles.

Abstract: The application discloses identification and security documents and methods and systems for authenticating such identification and security documents. In one implementation, a document includes a first surface; and a second surface. The first surface comprises a first set of print structures and a second set of print structures. The first set of print structures and the second set of print structures cooperate to obscure the location on the first surface of the second set of print structures. The second set of print structures is arranged on the first surface so as to provide a reflection pattern. In one example, the reflection pattern includes a diffraction grating. The second set of print structures is preferably provided on the first surface with metallic ink. Of course, other claims and combinations are provided too.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a transfer foil, comprising a release-coated carrier (1), and on said carrier a transfer coating layer (3) having the form of a design comprising oriented optically variable magnetic pigment (OVMP), the pigment orientation representing an image, indicia, or a pattern. Processes of making and using the foil, as well as documents carrying the foil are also disclosed.

Abstract: Transparent fluorescent structures comprising a matrix and fluorescent nanoparticles disposed within the matrix. Each fluorescent nanoparticle comprises a substrate nanoparticle having a surface; and one or more fluorescent molecules that fluoresce light. Each fluorescent molecule is bonded to at least one reactive bonding site on the surface of the substrate nanoparticle. The fluorescent molecules are distributed among the substrate nanoparticles such that self-quenching of the fluorescent molecules is eliminated or at least reduced.

Abstract: A lottery ticket is formed by a substrate sheet material on which is printed game and other indicia with some or all of the game indicia being covered by a scratch-off material removable by the player. A ticket viewing device in the form of a flat panel defining glasses may be contained in a pocket formed on one side of the sheet or they can be supplied separate from the ticket. The glasses are used by the player for viewing the ticket with at least some of the indicia being printed in a manner which cooperates with the ticket viewing device so that the indicia are visible to the player in a three dimensional format. The pocket can be formed an attached layer of a different material for example of transparent plastic or the pocket can be formed by folding one edge of the substrate.

Abstract: The invention relates to a security element for security papers, value documents or the like, with a carrier having an upper side and a lower side and comprising several reflective first micro-imaging elements flatly arranged in a first pattern, and second micro-imaging elements flatly arranged in a second pattern, a first microstructure object which contains several first microstructures which are arranged in a first microstructure pattern so adapted to the first pattern that the first microstructure object is imaged in magnified form in front of the upper side by means of the first micro-imaging elements, and a second microstructure object which contains several second microstructures which are arranged in a second microstructure pattern so adapted to the second pattern that the second microstructure object is imaged in magnified form in front of the underside by means of the second micro-imaging elements.

Abstract: The invention relates to an enhanced security feature for identification document. For that, the identification document comprises at least two constitution layers, a first specific coating (15) inside the document, between two constitution layers, said coating being able to be revealed under predetermined lighting conditions. It comprises also an assembly of micro-holes (16) provided through at least one of the layers, in order to make possible the revelation of the first specific coating under said predetermined conditions, said assembly of micro-holes, together with said coating to be revealed through micro-holes, drawing said security pattern.

Abstract: A security device (2) including a substantially transparent material (6) having a first side and a second side. An array of lenses (4) is arranged on the first side of the material (6) and an ablative layer (8), which is reflective or at least partially opaque, is arranged on the second side of the material. The ablative layer has one or more patterns (12, 16) formed by removal of the ablative layer, for example by laser radiation (10, 14). The or each pattern (12, 16) is viewable at a particular viewing angle (?, ?) or range of angles through the array of lenses. Also disclosed is a method of manufacturing a security device.

Abstract: An identification medium provided with a laminated structure comprises laminated layers of a magnetically controllable layer, in which magnetic microcapsules are dispersed, and a color shifting layer.

Abstract: The invention relates to a security feature for securing documents of value having a plurality of microcapsules, which respectively have a wall and in which is respectively contained a liquid medium in which are distributed several magnetic particles which are movable in the liquid medium and whose arrangement within the microcapsule is changeable by the action of a magnetic field, whereby the magnetic particles are configured to arrange themselves within the microcapsule such that they form a light-diffractive structure.

Abstract: Methods and systems for optical effects in pigments, inks, and on media. One aspect of this disclosure involves a pigment particle which includes a core, having a fluorescent material and having a spherical shape, and a shell surrounding the core; the shell includes a photochromic material which has a first optical property in a first light source and a second optical property in a second light source which includes a set of wavelengths not sufficiently present in the first light source. The second optical property attenuates an emitted radiation from the fluorescent material. Other aspects are also described.

Abstract: [Problems] A higher forgery prevention effect is realized. [Means for Solving Problems] A display according to the present invention is characterized by includes a relief-structured region as an image-constituting element including recessed portions, protruding portions or both of them arranged two-dimensionally on one of main surfaces of a light-transmitting layer, and a reflection layer supported by the one of the main surfaces and covering at least a part of the relief-structured region, wherein a center-to-center distance of the recessed portions, protruding portions or both of them falls within a range of 200 nm to 500 nm. Further, it is characterized in that it comprises multiple relief-structured regions, and a shape, depth or height, the center-to-center distance and an arrangement pattern of the recessed portions, protruding portions or both of them in at least one of the relief-structured regions are different from those in other relief-structured region(s).

Abstract: The security substrate comprises an at least partially light transmitting carrier supporting a security feature and the security feature comprises at least first and second layers at least one of which covers an area which is less than a full surface area of the carrier and which at least partially overlaps the other layer.

Abstract: A tamperproof case for a genuine article which comprises a space for accommodating the article between first and second sheet members which are capable of being permanently bonded together in at least the area that substantially completely surrounds the space. At least one of the first and second sheet members comprises at least one security element that is invisible under light in the visible wavelength range. This abstract is neither intended to define the invention disclosed in this specification nor intended to limit the scope of the invention in any way.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for securing an identification document and to a secure identification document. More particularly, the process uses UV sensitive ink(s) to define a pattern only visible under UV radiations. The process is characterized in that it comprises the following steps: printing a first layer of a transparent ablation varnish (13), printing a layer (14) of UV sensitive ink(s) over said first layer of transparent ablation varnish, removing parts of the layer (14) of UV sensitive ink(s), by means of a laser beam, some remaining areas of said UV sensitive ink(s) defining said pattern to be revealed in color under UV radiations, and some areas, where the UV sensitive ink(s) has been removed and the laser beam has interacted with the ablation varnish (13), absorbing the UV radiations with effect of creating black color.

Abstract: The invention relates to a system for authenticating a printed document, said document being printed on a substrate which includes plurality of electromagnetic responsive targets that are introduced to the substrate during its manufacturing process and randomly distributed therein, and wherein each target having a fiber form, said system comprises an authentication apparatus which comprises: (a) one transmitting antenna and one receiving antenna that are positioned above a moving conveyor, for radiating an original document during a scanning period in which the conveyor moves the document below said transmitting and receiving antennas; (b) a transmitter for providing electromagnetic signal to said transmitting antenna, and a receiver for receiving from said receiving antenna a responsive electromagnetic signal, said responsive signal being an accumulative response from plurality of said targets as obtained during said scanning period; (c) a sampling unit for sampling said accumulated responsive signal, thereb

Abstract: A secure article, notably a security and/or valuable document, comprising at least one substrate, at least one visible authenticating structure, at least one inspection zone defined at least partly by the authenticating structure, the authenticating structure delimiting at least partly the outline of the inspection zone and/or serving to locate the inspection zone, in the inspection zone at least one identifying element different from the authenticating structure, the inspection zone enabling an identification information to be supplied with at least one feature, notably spatial or physical, of the identifying element.

Abstract: A method for securing a document (1), and a secure document (1) including a data medium (2) and an optical security component (3). The medium (2) includes a first surface (12) and a second surface (13). The optical component (3) includes an element (21) for generating optical effects and an adhesive element (5) adhering to the first surface (21) of the medium (2). Customization data (16,17,18,19,20) are written on the secure document (1). The secure document (1) also includes an additional sealing component (4) including adhesive element (10) adhering to the second surface (13) of the medium (2), the medium (2) including at least one perforation (14, 15) arranged so that the optical (3) and additional (4) components are bonded to each other through the perforation (14, 15).

Abstract: The present invention provides a counterfeiting prevention device comprising a support, a patterned optically anisotropic layer having two or more regions of different birefringence, and a printed layer in this order, which further comprises a laminate film of retardation lower than 50 nm attached on said printed layer. The counterfeiting prevention device has high visibility of a latent image and durability.

Abstract: A security document (1) including a revealer raster (3) associated with a combined image (2) present on the document (1) and/or on another article, this combined image (2) comprising at least two interleaved images, at least one of the combined image (2) and the revealer raster (3) appearing in a zone of the document (1) that is at least partially transparent, the revealer raster (3), when superposed at least in part on the combined image (2) of the same document (1) or of the other article, serving to observe the interleaved images in succession by relative movement between the revealer raster (3) and the combined image (2), it being possible to superpose the revealer raster (3) and the combined image (2) by folding the document (1) and/or by superposing the document (1) on the other article.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a layer structure having improved properties for laser engraving, to particular embodiments of said layer structures in the form of co-extrusion films, and to security documents, preferably identification documents comprising said layer structures.

Abstract: Surface modified optically variable product to provide security features in packaging materials and currency notes to prevent counterfeiting. Surface modified optically variable product is optionally readily functionalized to disperse them in organic and aqueous inks.

Abstract: The invention relates to a security element comprising a transparent carrier substrate and a color-changing element made of a layer reflecting electromagnetic waves, a spacing layer, and a layer in the form of metal clusters, characterized in that the layer reflecting the electromagnetic waves is applied to the transparent carrier substrate partially as a line raster and partially as a contiguous layer made of one or more different metals.

Abstract: A document includes a paper substrate having an average surface roughness of at least about 0.5 microns, wherein the paper substrate includes encoded information printed thereon, and wherein the encoded information is printed with an ink comprised of light absorbing material that absorbs light only at wavelengths below 350 nm and an optional clear binder in a solvent. The encoded information is substantially not detectable to a naked human eye through differential gloss or exposure to light having wavelengths of 365 nm or more, and is only revealed upon exposing the document to light having a wavelength at which the light absorbing material absorbs light, which is less than 350 nm.

Abstract: The appearance of a color print viewed under UV illumination is predicted using a target comprising color patches each printed using a known coverage of printer colorant(s). In one case, the target is illuminated using a UV light source and an electronic image of the target is captured using a digital camera or the like. In another case, a spectrophotometer is used both with and without a UV cutoff filter to measure the target. The captured image data or the spectrophotometric measurements are used to derive a UV printer characterization model that relates any arbitrary combination of printer colorants to a predicted UV color appearance value. Metameric colorant mixture pairs for visible light and UV light viewing can be determined using the UV model together with a conventional visible light printer characterization model. A visual matching task is used to determine a correction factor for the UV printer characterization model.

Abstract: A printed document includes a security mark with visible and hidden portions. The document includes a security mark defined by at least one first security mark constituent, at least one second security mark constituent, and at least one third security mark constituent, wherein: (i) each first mark constituent is visible in a first lighting condition and is detectable in a second lighting condition; (ii) each second mark constituent is hidden in the first lighting condition and is detectable in the second lighting condition; (iii) each third mark constituent is visible in the first lighting condition and is hidden in the second lighting condition. The security mark includes at least one of the first security mark constituents located adjacent and aligned with one of the second security mark constituents and one of the third security mark constituents. The location and relative placement of the first, second, and third mark constituents is selected such that cut and paste counterfeiting is hindered.

Abstract: A tamper-proof security element includes at least one polymer spacer layer and two metal cluster layers. One or more of the layers, in addition to their function, fulfills a security feature in their color-shift set-up.

Abstract: Embodiments are disclosed for generating an infrared mark indicator comprised of security information in a printed image. Image data is rendered to a CMYK image. A black plane of the CMYK image is separated and transformed to a frequency domain wherein the frequency components are alternated to encode the watermarking message. The CMY values are selected based on the encoded black value in order to maintain a same color appearance image for the printed image under a normal visual light illuminant. The image data is printed on the substrate in accordance with the transformed planes wherein upon the resultant printed image being exposed to infrared illuminant, a print pattern is detectable as an infrared mark when scanned with an infrared sensing device.

Abstract: A system is employed to reveal a watermark in a document. A watermark generator is utilized to select the placement and at least one colorant combination of an image and at least one colorant combination for a watermark on a document, where the at least one colorant combination of the image and the watermark form a metameric pair. A printing system receives data from the watermark generator and places the image and the watermark on the document. A decoder comprising a narrow band illumination element is selected or tuned to a wavelength corresponding to the colorant combinations utilized by the printing system to reveal the watermark placed thereon.

Abstract: A security device including a transparent base layer having a surface provided with an optically variable relief microstructure; a transparent high refractive index layer on the surface of the base layer, the high refractive index layer conforming to the surface relief microstructure; and a reflective metal layer printed on the transparent high refractive index layer. The metal layer is printed in the form of a pattern. The thickness of the transparent high refractive index layer is selected so as to achieve constructive interference of light with a wavelength ? in the range 450-650 nm reflected at each surface of the high refractive index layer.

Abstract: The invention relates to improvements in security features which comprise at least one printed image and, in particular, to such security features which provide an improvement in the resolution of printed images forming security features using inks, pigments or printing processes which do not lend themselves to the production of sharply defined or high resolution images. The security feature comprises an opaque first image and a second image at least partially overlying the first image, the second image being a printed image which has a lower visual resolution than the first image. The formation of the second image is such that, when the security feature is viewed in transmitted and/or reflected light, only the shape of the first image is readily discernable.

Abstract: A method of producing a transparent polychromatic printed iridescent image (8) of any kind in which at least two colors change simultaneously when there is a change in the viewing angle of the image under illumination by at least one visible light source.

Abstract: Disclosed is a paired optically variable security element which comprises first and second optically variable thin-film multilayer interference devices in the form of optically variable foils or of printings made with inks comprising optically variable interference pigments, wherein said first and second interference devices exhibit spectral matching at a determined angle of incidence. Sets of optically variable devices and of coating compositions comprising optically variable pigments for the production of said paired optically variable security element are also disclosed, as well as the use of said security element for the protection of documents and goods, and security documents and goods carrying same.