Abstract: A component for a fluidic circuit is provided with at least one tubular portion extending around an axis and with at least one annular identifying band, which is coupled to the tubular portion.

Abstract: A security element and a method of printing a security element using a rotary printing process, the security element including a plurality of image elements, the method including: providing a transparent or translucent substrate having a printing side; and printing an image layer onto at least a portion of the printing side of the substrate, wherein the image layer is contiguous and includes an extended edge region and an image region, wherein at least a portion of the extended edge region is printed before the image region, and wherein the image region includes unprinted and printed areas.

Abstract: A system for identifying and tracking components, including but not limited to cords, cables and connectors, that are associated with an electronic device or apparatus or that are part of a “set.” Devices include TVs, DVD players, VCRs, DVRs, computers, printers, camera, and the like. A plurality of self-adhesive stickers marked with a scannable code, each with a unique code in that set, are affixed to a device and its accessories. The codes are scanned by a mobile computing device for entry into the system. Subsequent identification of a particular accessory can be performed by using the system to scan the coded sticker on that accessory.

Abstract: Tapes for marking valuable components and their housings and supporting posts are described along with a process for utilizing the tapes including the steps of sequentially marking the copper and the equipment with a MR marking (e.g. barcodes, Q-R codes and/or EF transmitters). EF or related broadcasting transmitters or their equivalent would be thin enough and responsive to a signal; machine reading a MR sequence on copper that is brought; marking the copper sold before, after or at the point of sale; identifying the location and coding the copper as stolen at the point of theft, utilizing a nationwide system of copper marking tied to the buyer's information; visually marking the copper in a non-sequential way, potentially by region or state in order to minimize the amount of overlap and would also include the concepts of mandatory scanning of copper products at installation or recycling.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a luminous advertisement sheet. The luminous advertisement sheet includes a light-transmitting print sheet having an EL advertisement region formed in at least one area of the print sheet, and a general advertisement region formed in the other area thereof. The EL advertisement region has at least one of a fixed pattern portion in which a transparent electrode layer, an EL layer and a dielectric layer are sequentially laminated and a variable pattern portion in which a transparent electrode layer, an EL layer, a dielectric layer and a plurality of pixel electrode layers are sequentially laminated. The general advertisement region allows general dye printing to be performed therein. The luminous advertisement sheet further includes a pattern electrode layer laminated and printed with a conductive ink material to have a predetermined luminous pattern in at least one area of the dielectric layer laminated in the fixed pattern portion and/or the variable pattern portion.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a see-through security element (12), for security papers, value documents and the like, having at least one micropattern having a visual appearance that is viewing-angle dependent when looked through (26, 28). According to the present invention, the at least one micropattern is formed from an arrangement of a plurality of pattern elements (24) having a characteristic pattern spacing of 1 ?m or more, and the see-through security element (12) exhibits a total thickness of 50 ?m or less.

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: The invention relates to reflective features formed from multiple inks. In one embodiment, the reflective feature includes a substrate having a first region and a second region, the first and second regions having different surface characteristics; a first reflective element disposed on the first region; and a second reflective element disposed on the second region, wherein the first reflective element is more adherent than the second reflective element to the first region. In another embodiment, the reflective feature includes multiple layers formed from different inks exhibiting enhanced reflectivity and/or durability. The invention is also to processes for forming these features, preferably through a direct write printing process.

Abstract: An image forming method is provided to attain a higher security for preventing forgery and falsification of information by using an optical diffraction structure. In a body (10) whereupon a layer is to be transferred, printing information (2) is recorded. On the body (10), a layer (20d) including a hologram and a diffraction lattice provided on an optical diffraction structure transfer sheet (20) is transferred, and an image including recorded printing information (2) and optical diffraction structures (3, 4, 5) is formed. The layer (20d) including the optical diffraction structure is transferred so that the diffraction lattice (5) to be transferred forms diffraction lattice information (5) showing a prescribed regularity in a corresponding relationship between the printing information (2).

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 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: The invention concerns an object of value (15), for example a credit card, banknote or identity card. The object of value (15) has a carrier layer (1), at least one first layer (21) containing a moiré pattern and at least one second layer (31, 33) containing a moiré analyzer for the moiré pattern of the first layer (21). That second layer is arranged above or beneath the first layer in a fixed position relative to the first layer in such a way that the moiré pattern of the first layer (21) and the moiré analyzer of the second layer (31, 33) are permanently optically superimposed at least in region-wise fashion, whereby a permanent moiré image is generated.

Abstract: The invention relates to the field of printed security documents and, more particularly, to security documents and methods of making security documents bearing enhanced security features. The security documents may include identification documents or any other known documents of value. The security document includes a transparent window area with an ultraviolet blocking agent incorporated therein. Invisible ultraviolet fluorescent ink patterns are printed on respective opposite sides of the ultraviolet blocking agent within the region of the transparent window area. When either the face side or back side of the security document is illuminated with ultraviolet light, only the pattern printed proximate that side within the area of the transparent window becomes visible. When both face and back sides are simultaneously illuminated with ultraviolet light, the patterns printed on both sides of the ultraviolet blocking agent within the area of the transparent window become visible at the same time.

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: The invention relates to a security marking whose level of proof against forgery is greater than that of known security markings, comprising liquid-crystalline material with chiral phase, wherein the security marking is imperceptible to the eye and the properties of the liquid-crystalline material with chiral phase can be detected with the aid of detection systems.

Abstract: A substrate, such as a document of value, carries a design feature (F), which includes an array of repeating patterns with the patterns exhibiting discrete differences in one or more visual characteristics, for example, shape, color or optical responses, according to a predetermined pattern. The differences are, preferably, indiscernible to the unaided eye, but can be discriminated by an optical reading machine. In an alternatively preferred embodiment, the visual characteristics of each pattern represent 8- or 16-bit information.

Abstract: A scratch tape includes a base substrate, a UV coating layer formed on the upper surface of the base substrate, a lightproof layer 30 formed of the UV coating layer for shielding light, and a water-based coating layer 40 such that the enhanced lightproof property provides the security-required products with the reliable security, and is manufactured using the platen press printing such the whole manufacturing costs can be reduced.

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: The invention relates to a document to be protected against forgery comprising a security feature in the form of a perforation pattern, wherein the perforation pattern extends over a surface of the document and represents an image comprising brightness tones. The perforation pattern is herein formed such that, for instance when the thus treated document is held up to the light or placed on a light box, an image becomes visible at the location of the perforation pattern. It will be apparent that arrangement of such an image representing brightness tones requires extremely advanced technologies. Such technologies are not easily accessible to potential forgers, so that documents thus provided with such a perforation pattern are very difficult to forge. The perforation pattern is preferably applied by means of laser light.

Abstract: The invention relates to a system comprising a series of data carriers, in particular identity cards, papers of value or the like, whereby the data carriers belonging to the system exhibit diffraction structures containing standard information and parts of the series are changed by additional measures in the area of the diffraction structures or combined with other elements and they differ from the rest of the series in optically recognizable fashion, whereby the change in the diffraction structures and/or the combination with other elements convey an esthetic overall impression and the change and/or combination with the other elements cannot be undone without destruction of the diffraction structures.

Abstract: A product authentication system and method employs a unique mark that is simple and cost-effective to apply and read, but provides several layers of protection, including anti-counterfeit and anti-diversion, against counterfeiters. The unique mark includes a bar code that is printed in invisible ink comprising a UV or near-IR ink and an IR mark. The first layer of protection is invisibility. The second layer of protection is the bar code itself. The third layer of protection is the presence of the IR mark in the unique mark. The fourth layer of protection is the IR emitting characteristics of the IR mark.

Abstract: An archival medium, such as a compact disc, is made of a metal such as aluminum which is mechanically gained with particulate material under conditions that embed particulate material into the surface of the medium and visibly imageable by selective exposure to infrared laser radiation. A mechanically grained aluminum medium can also be anodically oxidized under conditions that do not impair the ability of the substrate to be laser imaged. The archival medium can be coated with opaque and transparent polymer coatings before or after imaging for security and/or protection. The coating can be a laser ablatable coating to provide a tamper-proof medium.

Abstract: A security system for a document utilizing a plurality of fluorescent snippets on the document with other encryption data printed thereon with visible and invisible ink that becomes bright when subjected to certain light. The system combines visible and invisible data that is encrypted, totaled and when subjected to a algorithm will match a selected component of said data.

Abstract: A method for authenticating a textile product, wherein a colorless composition is applied to at least one portion of at least one thread of the textile product. The composition comprises one of a pair of a colorformer and an activator which react when mixed to produce a spectral response. The textile product is authenticated as genuine by applying the other of the pair of the colorformer and activator to at least one portion of the at least one thread to produce the spectral response. The textile product may be a thread or a woven label.

Abstract: A method especially useful for marking property having a multitude of individually-valuable metal components involves adhering at least one specially-constructed label to at least one painted metal surface of the property to be marked. Each label includes a thermal label stock layer having information relating to the marked property imprinted on one side and a non-release thermal adhesive layer coated on another side. The label is impregnated with a chemical which is visible only when exposed to ultraviolet light and has apertures therethrough forming identifying indicia at a predetermined location, such as a personal identification number unique to the property owner, and/or a bar code imprinted thereon containing the identifying indicia. A durable topcoat on the label provides a protective seal. After the label is adhered to the metal surface, the ultraviolet-visible chemical migrates to substrata thereof.

Abstract: An authenticatable paper product is prepared by adding to a papermaking furnish fibers treated with from about 50-200 lb/ton of a fluorescent whitening agent (FWA). The paper made from the papermaking furnish will include fluorescent cellulosic fibers in an amount ranging from between 0.1-4.0 lb/ton to achieve FWA concentrations within the range of 1-20 ppm.

Abstract: A playing cards security system for detecting when additional playing cards are added to a deck of playing cards. The system includes a deck of playing cards where each playing card of the deck of playing cards has predetermined indicia provided thereon. The predetermined indicia of the each of the playing cards is the same as the predetermined indicia of the other playing cards of the deck of playing cards. The predetermined indicia is viewable under ultra-violet light and hidden from view under ambient light.

Abstract: A base layer of an information storage card is coated with a first coating layer that will glow a first color under longwave ultraviolet light. A second coating is applied onto the first coating. This second coating will glow a second color under ultraviolet light. This second coating can then be printed on using standard printing techniques. An attempt to alter the card by removing the printing will damage the first and second coating in a nonuniform manner. This damage will be seen under longwave ultraviolet light, even if the card has been reprinted.

Abstract: System for identification of a person (P, P') or an object with an informon carrier (1; G, 20), including at least one identification (IA, IB, IC; K) not perceptible with a human sense organ characteristic for a certain person (P, P') or an object (G), a device (2; 22, 23) for the inscription of the identification (IA, IB, IC; K) on to the information carrier (1; G, 20) and a device (8) to the read and evaluate the identification, wherein the information carrier (1; G, 20) carries a recording detectable only in ultraviolet light of a predestined range of wavelengths which is containing the identification (IA, IB, IC; K) and that the device for the inscription (2; 22, 23) includes means for the generation (7) and the device (8) for reading and evaluating includes means for reading the recording by means ultraviolet light.

Abstract: Process for marking an article by means of a pattern, which contains geometrically encoded information and can be evaluated with optical means by irradiation with light, there being provided on the surface of the article in a spatial arrangement in relation to an information pattern which can be evaluated by means of irradiation with UV light but is not visible to a human viewer a further information pattern which can be evaluated by means of visible light, the evaluation of the information contained in the two markings being able to be performed exclusively by means of the information pattern which can be evaluated by irradiation with UV light.

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: An optical marking system in which objects are coated with materials for purposes of applying secretly coded marks on the objects. The coating materials are transparent in daylight and have the property of absorbing ultraviolet light. When such materials are applied to a portion of the surface of an object which is a good ultraviolet reflector, only the uncoated portion reflects ultraviolet. Thus, the marked object is therefore seen as having the coated portion blocked-out when viewed through a device which filters out all but ultraviolet wavelengths but appears to be unmarked when observed without the viewing device. Similar coding of objects may be achieved by appropriately selected paints, papers and other materials.

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: Commercially available pigments mixed with fluorescence compound to obtain print stuff mixtures for transfer thereafter to mattes. The print stuff mixtures obtainable thereby are used to print securitY and face-value documents which will be color copier resistant, that is, not be accurately reproducible or replicable by a photocopier. An empirical test is provided which will allow the ordinary skilled printer to determine the best titer of commercially available fluorescence to be used in the ink/pigment mixing scheme.

Abstract: An apparently conventional playing card is invisibly coded so that it can only be read face down, by an electrooptic reading means. The card may be of non-laminated conventional card stock which has a substantially white surface conventionally printed with the identification of the suit and value of the card with inks chosen because they are visible but substantially transparent to wavelengths outside the visible range. The face of the card is coded with indicia inklessly marked across its surface with a compound which absorbs wavelengths (outside the visible range) which wavelengths are used by the reading means to read the indicia. The indicia, invisible to the human eye, correspond to a code which uniquely identifies the card. The card may be laminated from top and base sheets and the code concealed behind the front printed face of the top sheet. The upper surface of the top sheet is imprinted with the face value of the card with the inks described.

Abstract: An apparently conventional playing card is invisibly coded so that it can only be read face down, by an electro-optic reading means. The card may be of non-laminated conventional card stock which has a substantially white surface conventionally printed with the identification of the suit and value of the card with inks chosen because they are visible but substantially transparent to wavelengths outside the visible range. The face of the card is coded with indicia inklessly marked across its surface with a compound which absorbs wavelengths (outside the visible range) which wavelengths are used by the reading means to read the indicia. The indicia, invisible to the human eye, correspond to a code which uniquely identifies the card. The card may be laminated from top and base sheets and the code concealed behind the front printed face of the top sheet. The upper surface of the top sheet is imprinted with the face value of the card with the inks described.

Abstract: A light-polarizing element for use in a security document to permit authentication of the security document includes an intermediate layer of water-absorbing polymer material laminated between two outer layers of transparent material. The intermediate layer contains polarizing crystals that are absorbed in the intermediate layer and that are oriented in a predetermined direction through mechanical stretching. The two outer layers are sealed to one another in a liquid-tight manner along their longitudinal edges.

Abstract: Sales records comprising alphanumeric characters that are resistant to counterfeiting can be made by printing different parts of at least some of the characters making up the record in a plurality of colors.

Abstract: The invention relates to security fibers and other allied materials made luminescent by a dyeing process employing rare-earth compounds and their applications in fiduciary documents and other materials requiring authentication.

Abstract: A system for assisting the learning of a subject and, more specifically, for the aiding of the teaching of a language. The system comprises a substrate upon which is arranged a first, basic text that contains supplementable information which is unaidedly visible to the eye of a human user. A second, explanatory text, interlinearly arrayed with respect to the first text, provides additional information related to the supplementable information contained in the first text. The second text is arranged so that the additional information is generally proximate to the supplementable information to which it relates. The second text is displayed using a medium which is generally invisible to the eye of a human user unless exposed to light of a specified frequency range, such as ultraviolet (UV) light.

Abstract: A security document has security printing formed as a moire pattern of two superimposed sets of generally parallel lines. In each line set the line spacing varies progressively along the length of the lines so that each line set has one or more areas in which the line frequency is low and individual lines can be seen with the naked eye, and one or more further areas of high line frequency in which individual lines can only be readily distinguished by using magnification. Futhermore, the thickness of each line varies progressively between relatively large and relatively small values corresponding respectively to the areas of low and high line frequency, the ration of line spacing to line thickness being approximately constant so that the color or tonal density of the security printing is approximately uniform. For additional security the individual line sets are printed in inks of which the colors can be differentiated by the naked eye but not by a reproducing machine used for counterfeiting.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of making an optically recorded information medium which permits the reduction of the number of the processing steps and the reproduction of the recorded medium at a reasonable cost and in large quantities. The method comprises the steps of preparing a recording medium which comprises a substrate (16), a light reflecting layer (17) and a recording layer (18), recording information by exposing the recording layer to ultraviolet rays, cutting the recording medium to make an information stripe (23), and fixing the information stripe on a supporting plate (24). When the recording layer is exposed, the recording medium is forwarded intermittently for repeating exposure. The supporting plate may preferably be in the form of a rigid card, and a transparent protective film may optionally be provided on the recording layer.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the authentication of fiduciary or security objects, such as official documents, contracts, banknotes, credit cards and computer diskettes.The object to be authenticated is marked with a matrix composed of an organic resin of the vinyl or acrylic type, or any other similar resin, incorporating a series of sparkling doping materials and a series of photoluminescent doping materials with long-lasting remanence.This marking is carried out by coating, transfer of a film, printing, or integration of particles into the fiduciary material. The document marked in this manner can, in addition, be covered with a substance which is transparent in the visible spectrum going from UV to IR with the exception of a given wavelength band.The object marked in accordance with the invention has a first color in daylight, a second color when it is submitted to ultraviolet radiation and a third color from long-lasting when it is placed in darkness.