Abstract: Detecting and reporting skimming of a magnetic stripe of a magnetic instrument having a magnetic stripe. The magnetic head detector detects a reading of the magnetic stripe from the magnetic instrument and, if the reading is detected, transmits a reporting signal to a microchip indicating the magnetic stripe was read. The microchip receives the reporting signal from the magnetic head detector and transmits a buzzer signal to a microbuzzer. The microbuzzer generates an audible notification when the buzzer signal is received from the microchip. A microbattery powers the magnetic head detector, the microchip, and the microbuzzer.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a polarizing plate that comprises a polyvinyl alcohol-based polarizer dyed with any one or more of iodine and a dichroic dye and that locally has a depolarized region having a single transmittance of 70% or more at a wavelength ranging from 400 nm to 800 nm, the depolarized region being formed by irradiating light having a specific wavelength selected from a wavelength range of 200 nm to 800 nm, and to a manufacturing method thereof.

Abstract: An imprint (18) that represents a predefined pattern on an article. Article (10) comprises a body (12) made of a first material with a first thermal expansion coefficient (C1). The method comprises a step of incorporating a piece (22) in body (12) made of a second material with a second thermal expansion coefficient (C2), lower than the first coefficient, a step of heating article (10) to a predefined temperature to induce expansion of the materials, and then a step of cooling article (10) to induce shrinkage of the materials, generating a mechanicals stress that deforms article (10). Piece (22) is shaped so that the deformation generated corresponds to predefined pattern (20).

Abstract: A method of authenticating an item with a security mark includes providing a substrate (100); printing the security mark on the substrate with invisible ultraviolet (UV) absorbing ink (102); applying a coating comprised of UV fluorescent varnish (104) over the security mark and substrate; illuminating an area comprising the security mark and coating with UV light; identifying a reduced fluorescence image of the security mark; comparing the reduced fluorescence image with the security mark; and authenticating the item if the reduced fluorescence image matches the security mark.

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: The present invention relates to a security element (30) for securing valuable articles, having a first layer (13), composed of cholesteric liquid crystal material, that is present at least in some areas, a second layer (14), composed of liquid crystal material, that is present at least in some areas, and a further layer (22), having a machine-readable feature, that is present at least in some areas and that is covered at least in some areas by the first and second layer composed of liquid crystal material.

Abstract: A coating for an object having identifying indicia disposed thereon. An ink layer contacts at least a portion of the identifying indicia. The ink layer obscures the portion when exposed to light within a predetermined wavelength range, and the ink layer reveals a predetermined area of the portion when exposed to light outside of the predetermined wavelength range.

Abstract: A method of security printing can comprise the steps of printing a transparent ink onto a portion of a coated substrate resulting in printed region and an unprinted region, where the transparent ink is devoid of dyes, pigments, ceramics, metallics, and fluorescents; illuminating both the printed region and the unprinted region of the substrate, where the printed region scatters more light than the unprinted region creating a contrast; and detecting the contrast with a sensor that is sensitive to detecting light scattering differences between the printed region and the unprinted region.

Abstract: Security laminates and articles wherein the security laminate includes a first substrate having a first major surface and a second major surface; a plurality of retroreflective elements affixed along the first major surface of the substrate, the retroreflective elements including a solid spherical core comprising an outer core surface, the outer core surface providing a first interface; a first complete concentric optical interference layer having an inner surface overlying core surface and an outer surface, the outer surface of the first complete concentric optical interference layer providing a second interface; a second complete concentric optical interference having an inner surface overlying the outer surface of the first complete concentric optical interference layer and an outer surface, the outer surface of the second complete concentric optical interference layer providing a third interface; the security laminate is retroreflective.

Abstract: A postage payment label is provided which includes a substrate having an image provided thereon and a postage mark. The substrate and the image are able to transmit light of one or more first wavelengths (e.g., infrared or ultraviolet light) while the postage mark is able to absorb or reflect light of the one or more first wavelengths. Moreover, the image that is provided on the substrate is able to absorb and/or reflect light of one or more second wavelengths (e.g., visible light). Accordingly, when the image is illuminated with light of the one or more second wavelengths (e.g., visible light), the image conceals a portion or all of the postage mark. The postage mark (or relevant portion thereof), however, may be viewed when the image is illuminated with light of the one or more first wavelengths and not illuminated with light of the one or more second wavelengths.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide an authenticity indicator that cannot be easily forged, that is clearly distinguishable, and that can be elaborately designed. An authenticity indicator 101 is in the form of a sheet and can be checked for its authenticity by observing the light reflected from it. The authenticity indicator comprises a first reflective layer 12 comprising a reflective area 12a that reflects specified light, and a second reflective layer 15 that reflects specified light. The reflective area of the first reflective layer has a cholesteric liquid crystalline structure. The second reflective layer comprises a volume hologram.

Abstract: A value document, in particular a bank note, has a value document substrate and at least one feature substance for authenticity recognition and at least two different feature substances for checking the value document. First and second feature substances are present on or in the value document substrate in the form of mutually independent codings which render, at least partly, the same information, e.g. statement of value, currency, etc.

Abstract: The invention concerns a security document (7) having a first transparent region (72) in which a first transparent optical element (74) is arranged and a second region (71) in which a second opaque optical element (73) is arranged. The second opaque optical element (73) exhibits a first optical effect. The first region (72) and the second region (71) are arranged in mutually spaced relationship on a carrier (75) of the security document, in such a way that the first and second regions can be brought into mutually overlapping relationship. Upon overlap of the second optical element with the first optical element with a first spacing (26) between the first and second optical elements a second optical effect appears and upon overlap of the second optical element with the first optical element with a second spacing (25) between the first and second optical elements, which is greater than the first spacing (26), a third optical effect (51) which is different from the second optical effect appears.

Abstract: The invention relates to identification documents, and in particular to providing optically variable personalized data to identification documents. In one implementation, we provide an identification document comprising a document layer and a first indicium. The document layer comprises a material capable of being printed by a thermally transferable optically variable ink. The first indicium is printed on the document layer and comprises personalized data and printed to the document layer by a thermally transferred optically variable ink. The first indicium may be printed to the document layer by disposing a thermally transferable optically variable ink in a mass transfer panel of a printer ribbon adapted for use in a dye diffusion thermal transfer printer, and printing the first indicium as part of a mass transfer printing process.

Abstract: A card, in particular credit card, identity card, bank card or the like is proposed that includes a plurality of laminated layers between which a security element with a relief structure, in particular holographic diffraction structures, is embedded. The materials are selected so that the softening temperature of the security element layer having the relief structure has a higher softening temperature than the card layers between which the security element is laminated. This permits the multilayer laminated card to be produced by conventional laminating methods without appreciably impairing the relief structure by the pressures and temperatures thereby occurring. Special combinations of materials and in particular suitable materials for the layer having the relief structure are proposed.

Abstract: Security element 2, 4 to be embedded in or applied to a security document so that it is visually recognizable from both sides of security document 1 is of multilayer construction and includes interference element I with a color shift effect and diffraction structures 8. Depending on the arrangement of the layers and existing diffraction structures 8 on transparent substrate S the color shift effect and/or the diffractive effects are perceptible from one or both sides of security element 2, 4. The security element is suitable in particular as two-sided windowed thread 4 and as label or transfer element 2 over hole 3.

Abstract: There are utilized at least two kinds of ultraviolet-fluorescent yarns with different chromophore, which is spun out of dope kneaded with a fluorescent material. When ultraviolet-fluorescent yarns and colorless yarns are wound around a beam or drum with or without infrared-fluorescent yarns, ultraviolet-fluorescent yarns are arranged repeatedly in specific color order in the traverse direction during the warping operation. These yarns as the warp are woven into a wide textile with a wide loom. In this weaving, ultraviolet- and infrared-yarns are interwoven in specific color order in parallel with each other over the entire width of the wide textile, which is cut into tapes with heating in the broader width than a space where the color order may be identified.

Abstract: The invention relates to a data carrier, especially a value document or security paper, having a substrate (20) and, applied on the substrate, a coating (12) into which, through the action of laser radiation, markings (14) are introduced in the form of patterns, letters, numbers or images. According to the present invention, it is provided that the coating (12) includes a laser-radiation-absorbing layer (22) and a printing layer (24) that is disposed over the absorbing layer and that is at least partially transmissive to the laser radiation, and that the printed substrate is pressed (26) during or after the imprinting of the at least partially transmissive layer (24).

Abstract: A security object has a substrate (1) carrying a first motif (6) and mutually aligned thereto a second motif (7). The first motif (6) is formed by a volume hologram (8) and visible under a given viewing condition only. The second motif (7) can e.g. be a dye, a surface hologram, a perforation or any other non-variable or optically variable device. The first and the second motif (6, 7) combine to form a third motif, e.g. a legible text.

Abstract: In one aspect, the invention provides a security laminate comprising a retroreflective layer comprising a plurality of retroreflective microbeads partially embedded in and protruding from a beadbond layer and having image receptive material disposed around the protruding microspheres. In another embodiment, the security laminate further comprises indicia patterns viewable in retroreflective light. In another embodiment, the security laminate is imaged on the image receptive material.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the laser inscription of a flexible inner support layer of a multilayered support unit, which is distinguished by the fact that the laser inscription of the inner support layer is carried out through one or more flexible outer laser-inactive support layers which are separate or can be separated from one another.

Abstract: An optically detectable security marker for emitting light at a pre-selected wavelength. The marker comprises a rare earth dopant and a carrier incorporating the rare earth dopant. The interaction of the carrier and the dopant is such that the fluorescent fingerprint of the marker is different from that of the rare earth dopant. The marker may be incorporated into a plurality of items, such as fluids, for example paint, fuel or ink, and laminar products such as paper or banknotes or credit cards.

Abstract: A security label having one or more security elements is used on or in association with items, such as consumer products, that have value and are susceptible to counterfeiting. The security label is preferably used as a primary label directly affixed to the item or product. The security element(s) can be affixed to an outer or inner label surface, embedded within the label film or paper layer and/or laminated between two or more layers. One type of security element includes a security thread having indicia formed thereon that are not easily reproduced or duplicated. Another type of security element includes a machine-readable security element that provides encoded machine-readable verification data.

Abstract: According to the invention the labels (22) are produced in a broad woven fabric (21) comprising ground warp yarn (4) and ground weft yarn (5) for a ground woven fabric (11), embroidery weft yarn (12) which forms a figure and code weft yarn (10) which forms a barcode, said yarn being distinguishable from the ground warp yarn only in a light outside the visible spectrum. In the broad woven fabric (21) several labels (22) are produced whose longitudinal sides (1) adjoin each other in the weft direction and remain unfolded and whose lateral sides (2) are adjacent to each other in the warp direction and can be folded. The embroidery weft yarn (12) and the code weft yarn (10) extend parallel to each other and at a distance from the longitudinal sides (1) so that the backs of the labels (22) are evenly covered and thus uniformly transparent.

Abstract: A self-laminating strip label is provided in a business form comprised of a face stock layer joined through a patterned adhesive/release coating layer to a laminating layer wherein separation lines are provided in each of the two layers with the separation lines being substantially aligned with the strip label being positioned above the laminating strip. A novel method is also taught for first separating the strip label from the form, inverting it, and reapplying it to the laminating strip to thus form a matrix within the form with adhesive securing the strip label to the laminating strip. The matrix may then be separated by separating the laminating strip along its defining separation line yielding a self-laminated strip label for application to a marker tab of a file folder or the like.

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

Abstract: A thermochromic game or prize or message indicator includes a typical thermochromic or thermally sensitive battery testers coupled to a first conductive substrate with a second thermally responsive game piece or prize or message indicator of the present invention combines a typical thermochromic or thermally sensitive battery tester coupled to the conductive substrate with an extension of the conductive substrate. The thermochromic game or prize of message indicator can be used to display a verbal message or icon for conveying whether a prize has been won. Additionally, the thermochromic game or prize or message indicator can be used to display any desired verbal message or icon.

Abstract: A method for marking articles or documents by placing on a substrate (1) a multi-layer optical complex consisting of an identifying portion (2, 7) such as bar codes, a photograph or characters, and an authenticating portion consisting of a diffracting optical mark, said portions being arranged one on top of the other in such a way that they cannot be separated without destroying the authenticating portion. A protected document is also disclosed which comprises an indivisible stack consisting of a printed portion (2, 7) forming an identifier read by reflection in a first wavelength band, and coated with a lacquer (5) that is opaque in the visible spectrum and has a transmission window including said first wavelength band, as well as a transparent reflective layer (4) forming a diffracting optical mark. A marking system for carrying out the method, and a device for checking said article or document, are also disclosed.

Abstract: A variable color print of an image includes a reflective image medium including a plurality of different, locally colored, image regions; a first plurality of repeated changes in reflective angle of the image medium which extend in a first direction and are parallel to each other in a second direction transverse to the first direction; each locally colored image region including at least one local color medium disposed on the reflective medium; each local color medium includes at least one color sequence, each sequence extending in the second direction and including at least two different color variations; and each color variation is aligned with the repeated changes in reflective angle such that the repeated changes in reflective angle selectively prevent viewing of at least one of the color variations and selectively highlight at least one of the color variations at different viewing angles to generate changes in color of the locally colored image regions as the viewing angle changes.

Abstract: A transactional control system, a promotional system, and a redemption system including a set of a card and a removable and reusable label. The removable and reusable label having a first side printed with indicia thereon, and a second side coated with a reusable adhesive layer suitable for affixing the label to either a first or a second planar side of the card. The label, printed with a registration indicia thereon, can be removed from the transaction card without leaving residue on the card and can be affixed to a registration form for registration of a holder of the transaction card. Alternatively, the label printed with a redeemable coupon indicia thereon, can be removed from a promotion card and affixed to a transaction receipt for associating a particular transaction with the redeemable coupon. In another embodiment the label is printed and scored to form individually removable segments which can be removed from the redemption card and redeemed.

Abstract: A security device comprises a substrate (1) having a viewing region (3) which is provided on one side with first indicia (7) and on the other side with second indicia (9) overlying the first indicia. The substrate carries an obscuring material (10) aligned with the second indicia (9) so as to prevent at least the second indicia from being viewed from the one side of the substrate under reflected radiation. The substrate is sufficiently transparent while the obscuring material permits the passage of sufficient transmitted radiation to allow the second indicia (9) to be viewed from the one side of the substrate under transmission conditions.

Abstract: This invention relates to film which is lettered with a laser beam comprising at least one protective film which is transparent to the laser beam, at least one opaque layer which is ablated by the laser beam, and at least one contrast-forming layer on its bottom. The abatable layer is preferably a metallic layer and can have a color like the contrast-forming layer. The color of the metallic layer is different from the color of the contrast-forming layer. The contrast-forming layer is either applied, imprinted or varnished onto the metallic layer. The contrast-forming layer can be at least one plastic film. On a side of the contrast-forming layer facing away from the metallic layer there is an adhesive layer which is covered with a carrier material, for example, an adhesive-repellant carrier film.

Abstract: A reflective article has a multilayer film covering a patterned retroreflective layer. In one embodiment the patterned retroreflective layer includes a separate indicia layer covering a retroreflective substrate. The indicia are substantially hidden under normal viewing conditions but easily detectable under retroreflective lighting conditions. Various types of retroreflective layers are disclosed. The article can also include microstructured relief patterns which produce holographic images under ambient lighting but which disappear under retroreflective conditions. The multilayer film includes alternating layers of at least a first and second polymer, and has a relatively high reflectivity for normally incident light within a first spectral range which is approximately coextensive with the visible spectrum, and a relatively low reflectance for normally incident light within a second spectral range.

Abstract: The invention is directed to an information-recorded medium with easily selectable and identifiable items of information, which is virtually protected against forgery and has enhanced security against some improper use, and a method for reading such a medium. This information-recorded medium 1 includes a substrate 2 and a layer 3 with information recorded thereon by the printing of infrared absorbing ink, said layer 3 being provided on the surface of the layer 2. The printed layer 3 is provided thereon with a relief hologram-recorded layer 7 through an adhesive layer 4, said hologram-recorded layer 7 being built up of a reflecting layer 5 transparent to the infrared region and a relief hologram-formed layer 6 provided on the surface of the reflecting layer 5. For reading, the hologram-recorded layer 7 is reconstructed by visible light, while the printed layer is reconstructed by infrared light, and the medium 1 is identified on the basis of the thus reconstructed information.

Abstract: A thermally imagable business record, such as a form, label, tag, or the like is provided which may be activated to form human and/or machine readable images as well as different colored images. The record comprises a substrate having a thermally imagable coating on substantially its entire surface which forms a first color when activated, and having a desensitized area on at least one area of its surface which may be overcoated with a thermally imagable coating capable of forming a different color upon activation than the first thermally imagable coating. The first thermally imagable coating provides images which are of machine readable quality, while the additional thermally imagable coatings provide images of a different color to designate selected areas on the form or label to a user.

Abstract: An information carrier is in the form of a composite laminate with a first, a second and a third layer having refractive indices n3, n4, n5 respectively. The second layer forms structures by only partially covering the first layer. The third layer covers over the second layer or the first layer in direct contact therewith. The surface on the first layer has surface elements with first and second diffraction structures which produce a visually verifiable authenticity feature or which serve for reading out the information contained in the structures formed by the second layer. The refractive indices n4 and n5 are substantially real in the visible range and therefore the second and third layers are transparent. The differences .vertline.n4-n3.vertline. and .vertline.n5-n3.vertline. are greater than 0.2 over large parts of the visible range so that the first diffraction structures produce visible diffraction effects independently of the structures formed by the second layer.

Abstract: A hologram forming layer, transparent evaporated layer, colored layer, adhesion anchor layer, and adhesive layer are sequentially laminated on the under surface of a base member. The laminated body is used as a seal by the presence of the adhesive layer. It is preferable for the base member to have adequate rigidity (flexibility, tensile strength) and surface flatness. The hologram forming layer has a relief type hologram image. The transparent evaporated layer is a multi-layered ceramic layer constructed by alternately laminating high-refractive index layers and low-refractive index layers and the thickness thereof is preferably set to 1 .mu.m or less. In the transparent evaporated layer, the color of visible light in predetermined wavelength range is changed according to the viewing angle when it is transmitted therethrough or reflected therefrom.

Abstract: A printed document, such as a lottery ticket, includes a thermochromic layer at least over the imprinted data region. The printed document can be authenticated by applying heat to the thermochromic material and observing the presence or absence of a reversible color change.

Abstract: The document or substrate containing the information to be protected is covered with a liquid crystal or other such material capable of being made transparent using a process such as heating it to a higher temperature than ambient room temperature. In this manner the information on the substrate is normally invisible and thus not accessible to individuals without special equipment. For copying, the coated substrate is then placed on a copier machine in which the transparent glass plate of the copier is heated, for instance by electrical resistance heating, to a temperature matching the temperature-transparency window of the coating on the document. The information on the substrate may also be made visible for viewing by covering the coating with a transparent plate heated to the proper temperature. A second coating of different color but substantially the same temperature transparency may be selectively applied to the first coating to provide normally visible information.

Abstract: A hidden entry system comprises a document having a localized coating of a non-pressure sensitive heat activated autogenous chromogenic composition to provide a latent image which reveals hidden indicia when heated at moderate temperatures. The hidden entry system is especially useful for contests and promotional forms. Quickly striking the chromogenic composition with a fingernail or blunt object converts the latent image to a visible colored image by frictional heat. The chromogenic composition contains a chromogenic compound and a color developer which are non-pressure sensitive and non-reactive at room temperature. The latent image can be provided by an intimate mixture of the chromogenic compound and the developer or alternatively, one component can be printed on a separate layer or coating of the other component.

Abstract: A method of coding gifts including a set of stickers all with one symbol which are attached to gifts with a card given to the child identifying the symbol and indicating that all gifts with that symbol belong to that child. Clue cards are used to allow the child to locate the identifying card and colored filter decoders are used to uncover the symbol on camouflaged stickers.

Abstract: The invention is a document security system characterized by a data substrate having photographic or printed information on a base print, and also having a personalized polarization-altering overlay sealed to the base print and encoded with additional coded information readable under the influence of a polarizing viewer. The low-security information, such as name, social security, account number and photograph, are printed on a card to form the base print. Additional information of greater security, which may be a bar code or alphanumeric characters, is imprinted in the polarization-altering overlay by an appropriate physical process, such as radiation exposure or thermal, chemical or mechanical treatment, which optically modifies localized regions of the overlay.

Abstract: A printed document, such as a lottery ticket, includes a thermochromic layer at least over the imprinted data region. The printed document can be authenticated by applying heat to the thermochromic material and observing the presence or absence of a reversible color change.

Abstract: A security paper includes at least two layers of paper each having inner and outer surfaces and predetermined mechanical properties, color and optical density. Authentication indicia is printed on the inner surface of at least one layer. The indicia is formed of a chemically, mechanically and thermally stable medium having a predetermined color, color intensity and optical density. A chemically, mechanically and thermally stable adhesive permanently adheres the inner surfaces of the layers together. The adhesive has a predetermined color and optical density. The color and optical density of the layers, the color, color intensity and optical density of the medium and the color and optical density of the adhesive combine to render the authentication indicia detectable in transmitted light and substantially imperceptible in reflected light.

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: A computerized technique for generating masters for embossing and printing color images with local regions of variation of an optical characteristic such as reflectance is disclosed. The color image is read into a computer and displayed on the computer screen. An electronic embossing mask is created for each local region which is to have a preselected optical variation. The line pattern is designated for each local region mask and an embossing film is exposed with each electronic embossing mask for creating in the embossing film a composite image including each line pattern in each local region. A plurality of electronic color separation masks are generated from the original color image, and each of these is combined with an electronic embossing mask to form an electronic line color separation mask having line patterns which correspond to those designated for the local regions.

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: An optically-readable identity card has an inner core layer of material which inhibits light from the optical reader from passing through the body of the card. The inner core material is a plastic vinyl colored either black, gold, silver or any metallic color.

Abstract: A computer generated moire identification system mainly uses two kinds of computer generated grids, one called object grids, and the other, reference grids. An object grid is used as an information carrier. The necessary specific information for identification such as the owner's signature or photograph is read into a computer, which codes the information into a grid, and then prints the code information onto an I/D plate or card. It is impossible to find out the hidden information by merely inspecting this plate. However, the coded information will reappear when the I/D plate is placed in a read-out machine, where the reference grid decodes the coded information in the form of Moire patterns.

Abstract: A hologram forming layer, transparent evaporated layer, colored layer, adhesion anchor layer, and adhesive layer are sequentially laminated on the under surface of a base member. The laminated body is used as a seal by the presence of the adhesive layer. It is preferable for the base member to have adequate rigidity (flexibility, tensile strength) and surface flatness. The hologram forming layer has a relief type hologram image. The transparent evaporated layer is a multi-layered ceramic layer constructed by alternately laminating high-refractive index layers and low-refractive index layers and the thickness thereof is preferably set to 1 &mgr;m or less. In the transparent evaporated layer, the color of visible light in predetermined wavelength range is changed according to the viewing angle when it is transmitted therethrough or reflected therefrom.