Abstract: The present invention is directed to obtaining an object having an anisotropic reflection characteristic without using a lenticular lens. A print product including a print medium on which a repetitive structure of projected portions and recessed portions is formed out of image forming materials including a color material includes a first layer formed on surfaces of the projected portions out of a first color material among the image forming materials, and a second layer formed on the recessed portions out of a second color material different from the first color material, wherein the projected portions have a height to occlude part of the second layer when observed at an angle different from an angle formed by a normal to a surface of the print medium.

Abstract: A printing apparatus includes a transport unit configured to transport a printing medium, a platen that includes a first support surface supporting the printing medium, a light-emitting unit configured to emit detection light toward a transport path of the printing medium, and a light-receiving unit provided adjacently to the light-emitting unit and configured to detect reflected light of the detection light, wherein a recessed portion is provided in the platen, the recessed portion including a primary reflection surface receiving the detection light and a secondary reflection surface receiving the detection light reflected by the primary reflection surface, and the first support surface and the secondary reflection surface overlap in an optical axis direction of the detection light.

Abstract: Provided is an imprint apparatus that applies a resin (drops) dispersed at a plurality of locations on a substrate, brings the resin and a mold into contact, and transfers the contoured pattern that is formed in the mold to the resin comprising: a controller that sets a principal axis direction according to the contoured pattern and an array direction in which a plurality of resin drops are aligned, and determines application positions for the resin such that the array direction is angled with respect to the principal axis direction; and a dispenser that applies the resin based on the application positions that have been determined.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to obtaining an object having an anisotropic reflection characteristic without using a lenticular lens. A print product including a print medium on which a repetitive structure of projected portions and recessed portions is formed out of image forming materials including a color material includes a first layer formed on surfaces of the projected portions out of a first color material among the image forming materials, and a second layer formed on the recessed portions out of a second color material different from the first color material, wherein the projected portions have a height to occlude part of the second layer when observed at an angle different from an angle formed by a normal to a surface of the print medium.

Abstract: An anti-counterfeit label and a manufacturing method therefor. The anti-counterfeit label is provided with a bottom plate (1). Ink bags (2) filled with anti-counterfeit ink are disposed on the bottom plate (1). More than two ink bags (2) are arranged to form an anti-counterfeit pattern. A cover plate (3) is disposed at upper parts of the ink bags (2). The thickness of the bottom plate (1) is 0.2 to 2.0 mm. The depths of the ink bags (2) on the bottom plate (1) are 0.019 to 1.99 mm, The cover plate (3) adopts a plastic film cover plate, the thickness of the cover plate (3) being greater than 0.0001 mm. After the cover plate (3) of the anti-counterfeit label is destroyed, partial or integral information about the label will disappear within a period of time, thereby resolving the problems of high anti-counterfeit cost and complicated query means, and effectively preventing counterfeiters from counterfeiting in batches by using second-hand product packing.

Abstract: A method of forming a security device includes selectively providing a high refractive index (HRI) layer to a first outwardly facing surface of a security device substrate, the HRI layer having a substantially transparent host material and particles having a dimension along at least one axis less than 200 nm, such that they are substantially non-scattering to visible light and the HRI layer is substantially transparent to visible light, and wherein; the particles have a refractive index of at least 1.8 and are present within the host material in a proportion such that the resultant refractive index of the HRI layer is at least 1.6. A corresponding security device, as well as security articles and security documents, are also disclosed.

Abstract: An optical article printed on a substrate may include an organic binder; and a plurality of reflective magnetic platelets provided in the organic binder, wherein the plurality of reflective magnetic platelets are substantially aligned in accordance with at least part of a surface of revolution, and wherein the plurality of reflective magnetic platelets are aligned to cause a first reflective effect of the optical article when the substrate is rotated around a first axis and to cause a second reflective effect of the optical article when the substrate is rotated around a second axis, wherein the first reflective effect is different from the second reflective effect.

Abstract: A display medium displays a predetermined number of contents corresponding to a predetermined number of azimuth angles when viewed from a predetermined elevation angle and azimuth angle. An example display medium includes: a planar member that reflects light; and a plurality of protruding members, each protruding member of the plurality of protruding members has a surface occluding the light, placed vertically on the planar member and parallel to each of the predetermined number of azimuth angles. The planar member is partitioned into a plurality of unit cells, where each unit cell is further partitioned into the predetermined number of sub-cells corresponding to the predetermined number of azimuth angles. The protruding member that has the surface parallel to the predetermined azimuth angle is formed for each sub-cell corresponding to the predetermined azimuth angle.

Abstract: An omnidirectional multilayer thin film is provided. The multilayer thin film includes a multilayer stack having a first layer of a first material and a second layer of a second material, the second layer extending across the first layer. The multilayer stack reflects a narrow band of electromagnetic radiation having a full width at half maximum (FWHM) of less than 300 nanometers (nm) and a color of less than 50 nm when the multilayer stack is exposed to broadband electromagnetic radiation and viewed from angles between 0 and 45 degrees. In some instances, the multilayer stack has a total thickness of less than 2 microns (?m). Preferably, the multilayer thin film has a total thickness of less than 1.5 ?m and more preferably less than 1.0 ?m.

Abstract: A security element including: a first layer having a first surface; an array of image regions across the first surface arranged along at least a second direction, each region including at least a first image sub-region having an average inclination defining an angle, relative to a plane of the security element, about an image region axis extending along a first direction; a diffractive optically variable effect generating structure provided in or on the first surface across the first image sub-regions, the structure including diffractive elements that extend along a direction within 45° of the first direction, wherein the structure is provided across the first image sub-regions and spatially arranged and/or modulated across the first image sub-regions in accordance with a first image so the first image is displayed by the first image sub-regions in combination at least at a first viewing angle. Also, a method of manufacturing the security element.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the field of magnetic assemblies and processes for producing optical effect layers (OEL) comprising magnetically oriented non-spherical magnetic or magnetizable pigment particles on a substrate. In particular, the present invention relates magnetic assemblies and processes for producing said OELs as anti-counterfeit means on security documents or security articles or for decorative purposes.

Abstract: A method of forming a polymer substrate for a security sheet includes: providing first and second overlapping polymer layers each providing outwardly facing surfaces, and a colour shifting element positioned between the first and second polymer layers adapted to provide a first optical effect to a viewer, wherein the first polymer layer includes a region substantially transparent to visible light such that the colour shifting element is viewable through the first polymer layer, and; joining together the first and second polymer layers in order to generate a polymer substrate wherein, during the joining step, a surface relief is formed in the outwardly facing surface of the first layer, the surface relief being adapted to interact with light from the colour shifting element in order to modify the first optical effect to provide a second optical effect different from the first optical effect.

Abstract: An adhesive tape cartridge can include an adhesive tape roll that winds a double-faced adhesive tape. The double-faced adhesive tape includes a base material layer, a first adhesive layer, a second adhesive layer, a third adhesive layer, and a separation material layer. The first adhesive layer is disposed on one side of the base material layer and includes an adhesive with a first pigment added. The second adhesive layer is disposed on the one side of the first adhesive layer and includes an adhesive with a second pigment added. The third adhesive layer is disposed on the other side of the base material layer. The separation material layer is disposed on the other side of the third adhesive layer. A volume ratio of the first pigment in the first adhesive layer is greater than a volume ratio of the second pigment in the second adhesive layer.

Abstract: An adhesive tape cartridge including a housing and an adhesive tape roll is provided. The adhesive tape roll is disposed in the housing and winds an adhesive tape. The adhesive tape includes a first adhesive layer, a second adhesive layer, and a separation material layer. The first adhesive layer comprises an adhesive with a first pigment added. The second adhesive layer is disposed on one side of the first adhesive layer in a thickness direction and comprises an adhesive with a second pigment added. The separation material layer is disposed on the one side of the second adhesive layer in the thickness direction. A volume ratio of the second pigment in the second adhesive layer is smaller than a volume ratio of the first pigment in the first adhesive layer.

Abstract: Optical adhesives that also diffuse visible light include a blend of an adhesive matrix which is an optical adhesive and a block copolymer. The adhesive may be a pressure sensitive adhesive and contains either acid or basic functionality. The block copolymer, which may be a diblock copolymer, contains a high Tg block and a functional block, the functionality of the functional block is complimentary to the functionality of the adhesive matrix to form an acid-base interaction. The adhesive may also contain a crosslinking agent.

Abstract: An example system, including a projector unit, an all-in-one computer attachable to the projector unit, a camera communicatively coupled to the all-in-one computer, and a touch sensitive mat communicatively coupled to the all-in-one computer. The projector unit projects an image on to the touch sensitive mat, and the touch sensitive mat comprises an optical pattern used to track a handheld device interacting with the image.

Abstract: A pattern of information is detected in a thin-film electrical element including a plurality of thin-film layers on a substrate, the plurality of thin-film layers overlapping in an encoding region to form an optical layer structure. At least one of the thin-film layers in the optical layer structure includes an embedded information-encoding pattern. The thin-film electrical element is illuminated with an incident light beam from a light source thereby producing an optically-detectable interference image including the embedded pattern of information. An image capture system is used to capture an image of the optically-detectable interference image, and a data processing system is used to analyze the captured image to detect the embedded pattern of information. One or more actions are initiated in response to the detected pattern of information.

Abstract: According to one aspect, the invention relates to an optical security component intended for being observed under direct reflection. The component comprises a structure engraved on a layer of a material having a refraction index n2, a thin layer of a dielectric material having a refraction index n1 other than n2, deposited on the structure, and a layer of a material having a refraction index no other than n1, encapsulating the coated structure of the thin layer.

Abstract: A security device has a support substrate of a first material having a softening temperature t1 and an embossed layer of a second different material supported by the support substrate having a softening temperature t2, wherein t2<t1. A thin film coating deposited directly upon the embossed layer, wherein the embossed layer is capable of being dissolved in a dissolving agent and wherein the thin film coating is not dissolvable by said dissolving agent. There is not need for an additional release layer as the second different material is dissolvable and allows flakes to be formed by dissolving the second layer.

Abstract: A security device includes a plurality of diffractive surface elements arranged on a carrier element. A surface covered by the diffractive surface elements on the carrier element can occupy at least a partial region of the carrier element. Each individual diffractive surface element can have a three-dimensional surface structure. A portion of the plurality of the diffractive surface elements can form a first surface element group including the portion of the plurality of diffractive surface elements, and an orientation of the diffractive surface elements in the first surface element group can be matched to each other wherein together they make a single first image point of an associated first symbol to be represented visible to an observer under particular observation conditions.

Abstract: A security element for securing security papers, value documents and other data carriers, has a lenticular image that, from different viewing directions, displays at least two appearances. The lenticular image includes a lens grid composed of a plurality of microlenses and a laser-sensitive motif layer arranged spaced apart from the lens grid. The laser-sensitive motif layer comprises, in two or more motif layer sub-regions, different markings introduced by the action of laser radiation and that, when the motif layer is viewed with the lens grid, produce at least two appearances. The lens grid is divided into two or more lens grid sub-regions in which the microlenses each comprise differently refractive lens surface forms. The different lens grid sub-regions are congruent with the different motif layer sub-regions, and the markings of the motif layer sub-regions being produced by laser impingement of the lens grid sub-regions.

Abstract: A security element for manufacturing value documents, such as banknotes, checks or the like, comprises a top on which a microrelief structure is developed that has at least two sub-regions that each comprise a plurality of groove- and/or rib-shaped structural elements that lie adjacent to one another and extend along a longitudinal direction, and are reflecting or backscattering. The longitudinal directions of the sub-regions are different, and the structural elements are each not resolvable with the naked eye with respect to the width transverse to the longitudinal direction, and fan out incident parallel light achromatically in a fan that lies transverse to the longitudinal direction and has an opening angle of at least 30°.

Abstract: According to one aspect, the invention relates to an optical security component (10) intended to be observed in a spectral band between 380 and 780 nm and in direct reflection mode, comprising: a layer of dielectric material (101), transparent in said observation spectral band, a continuous metallic layer (102) forming, with said layer of dielectric material, a metal-dielectric interface, having a sufficient thickness (t) to allow the reflection of the incident light on said interface in the observation spectral band with a maximum residual transmission as a function of the wavelength of 2%, and structured at said interface to form, in a first coupling area, two sets of undulations extending in two directions and forming a first grating with two dimensions, of subwavelength periods (?1, ?2) in each of the directions.

Abstract: There is described a printed security feature (1) provided onto a printable substrate, which security feature includes a printed area (100) consisting of a multiplicity of adjacent rectilinear and/or curvilinear elements (110, 120) printed with a given spatial frequency. The rectilinear and/or curvilinear elements are printed with at least first and second inks which exhibit the same or substantially the same optical appearance when illuminated with visible white light, such that the security feature produces a first graphical representation when illuminated with visible white light, at least the first ink being an ink which responds to non-visible light excitation by producing a characteristic optical response differentiating the first ink from the second ink.

Abstract: According to one aspect, the invention relates to an optical safety component having a plasmonic effect intended to be observed by transmission, including two layers (101, 103) made of a transparent dielectric material, a metal layer (102) that is arranged between said layers made of dielectric material to form two dielectric-metal interfaces (105, 106), and is structured to form on at least a portion thereof corrugations (104) that are capable of coupling surface plasmon modes supported by said dielectric-metal interfaces with an incident light wave. The corrugations are arranged in a first coupling area in a first main direction and in at least one second coupling area separate from said first coupling area, in a second main direction that is substantially perpendicular to said first main direction, said metal layer being continuous on each one of said coupling areas.

Abstract: A security device includes a plurality of diffractive surface elements arranged on a carrier element. Each individual diffractive surface element can have a three-dimensional surface structure. A portion of the plurality of the diffractive surface elements can form a first surface element group. An orientation of the diffractive surface elements in the first surface element group can be matched to each other wherein they make a first point of an associated symbol to be represented visible. A plurality of additional surface element groups each can make a respective additional point of the symbol to be represented visible. The symbol can include a sum of all points represented by the first surface element group and the plurality of additional surface element groups. A movement of the symbol can be perceived by the continuous change in an angle of incidence of the light or an observation angle.

Abstract: A light concentrator of an embodiment includes: a first high refractive index layer, a first low refractive index layer, and a second high refractive index layer stacked in sequence, wherein a surface on the first low refractive index layer side of the first high refractive index layer has a periodic concavoconvex region.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and a corresponding apparatus for identifying a product (1) or information relating to the product (1). In the method, a concealed code on the product (1) is identified, wherein the code is given by a set of ellipsometric parameters, and the method comprises the following steps of: measuring ellipsometric variables for at least one defined point (8) on a surface (9) of the product (1), comparing the measured ellipsometric variables with at least one reference code, and determining a match between the measured ellipsometric variables and the reference code or one of the reference codes or determining a mismatch with each reference code.

Abstract: The security substrate includes an at least partially light transmitting carrier supporting a security feature and includes 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. The layers have substantially the same color and texture, and the reflective contrast ratio of the overlapping areas and the non-over lapping areas is less than 20% and the transmissive contrast ratio of the overlapping areas and the non-overlapping areas is greater than 3%.

Abstract: A method includes applying at least one medium to a substrate with a printing device to form a symbol. The perceived reflectance properties of the symbol are provided by an amount of the at least one medium applied to the substrate.

Abstract: The invention relates to a security element of at least one thin layer element in form of a multi-layer composition, capable of interference. The multi-layer composition, capable of interference, consists of at least one reflecting layer, at least one partially transmitting layer and at least one dielectric layer arranged between these layers. According to the invention the security element comprises in a first region a multitude of gaps in the reflecting layer and in a second region at least one gap or a multitude of gaps in the partially transmitting layer. Herein the second region is arranged at least partially within the first region and the total area of the second region, which is at least partially arranged within the first region, is smaller than the total area of the first region. Therefore the security element displays, when viewed from the partially transmitting layer, a different appearance in top view than in transmission view.

Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein relate to a filter (100). In one embodiment, the filter includes a pattern (120). The pattern may reflect or fluoresce non-visible light.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of specific metal complexes of dithiolenes with aryl or heteroarylsubstituted imidazolidine-2-chalcogenone-4,5-dithione ligands as colorless IR absorbers.

Abstract: An anti-counterfeiting apparatus for a document (10, 70, 90), in particular a credit title, an insurance document, a permit or a transport document (10, 70, 90), comprises a means for printing (25) on said document (10, 70, 90) at least one printed data field in visible characters (12, 14, 17, 19, 72, 92), means for reading (30, 30?) the data of said printed data field (12, 14, 17, 19, 72, 92) and means for generating a cutting signal (45) responsive to said reading step (30, 30?) of the data of the printed data field (12, 14, 17, 19, 72, 92). Furthermore, it comprises a cutting means of the document (10, 70, 90) in a predetermined zone thereof on the basis of said cutting signal (45). In particular, the cutting means is configured to make on the document, near the printed data field (12, 14, 17, 19, 72, 92), a cut data field (12a, 14a, 17a, 19a, 72a, 92a) in an inerasable and visible way.

Abstract: This invention is directed to improvements in substrates, such as paper, incorporating a security device, and to documents made therefrom. The security substrate comprises at least one elongate security device, which security device has a series of first regions exposed at a series of windows formed in at least a first surface of the substrate and a series of second regions covered by the substrate at bridges formed between the windows in the first surface of the substrate. Each of the first regions is provided with a first security feature which is substantially of the same appearance in each region and is visible in each window when the first surface of the substrate is viewed ire reflected light.

Abstract: The control element has a first drawing printed on a first side of the article, comprising at least a first set of geometrical shapes. It includes a second drawing printed on a second side of said article, the second drawing being printed so as to face the first drawing and be in register with the latter, said second drawing comprising at least a second set of geometrical shapes corresponding to the first screen. At least one of said geometrical sets includes sectors which are offset so that, when the front side/reverse side register is correct, the control element has regions of variable density which are visible in transmitted light and are created by said offset sectors.

Abstract: A double layer micro gloss image pattern is created on a recording medium by electronically creating a first electronic pattern ink, the first electronic pattern ink including a first color pair and a first pattern, the first color pair including a first high color and a first low color; electronically creating a second electronic pattern ink, the second electronic pattern ink including a second color pair and the first pattern, the second color pair including a second high color and a second low color, the second color pair being visibly different from the first color pair; electronically creating a first layer in an electronic image region by electronically painting the electronic image region using the first electronic pattern ink; electronically creating a second layer in the electronic image region by electronically painting, using the second electronic pattern ink, a second pattern; and rendering, using marking materials, the electronic image region on a recording medium such that the when the first pat

Abstract: A system applies a security mark to a recipient. A data reception component receives information from one or more sources. A security mark generation component generates at least one miniature security mark (MSM) configuration based at least in part upon the information from the data reception component. An application component applies the at least one MSM configuration to one or more recipients.

Abstract: An assembly adapted for use as a polymer bank note with optical-based security features. The apparatus includes a planar substrate formed of a thin layer or sheet of transparent polymer such as a polypropylene. The apparatus includes an image stack (e.g., multiple layers of ink and other materials) applied to a first side of the planar substrate. An optical security assembly is provided that includes an array of lenses on the first side of the planar substrate that extends on the first side adjacent to the image stack. The optical security assembly includes an image element, such as interlaced images, on a second side of the planar substrate opposite the lens array. The lenses are each configured to have a focal length corresponding to the thickness of the planar substrate and to focus at the second side upon a portion of the image element to provide “in-substrate focusing.

Abstract: A security document is disclosed which includes an electrical circuit embedded in a document substrate, where the electrical circuit includes a power source with at least one electroactive polymer power generator, and an optical display including at least one electroluminescent display element and at least one nanohole array which forms a layer of the electroluminescent display element. Security features comprising nanohole arrays are also provided. A method of authenticating a security document is disclosed, including illuminating an encoded nanohole array in the security document with a focused light beam or laser light source emitting at least one defined wavelength of incident light, detecting a transmitted portion of the incident light transmitted through the nanohole array with an optoelectronic sensor, analyzing at least one wavelength of the transmitted portion of light to produce a detected signal, and comparing the detected signal with an authentication signal to authenticate the security document.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a security element (20) for security papers, value documents and the like, having a feature region (24) that selectively influences incident electromagnetic radiation (30). According to the present invention, it is provided that the feature region (24) includes metallic nanopatterns (28) in which volume or surface plasmons are excited and/or resonance effects are caused by the incident electromagnetic radiation (30).

Abstract: The present invention relates to a security element (20) for security papers, value documents and the like having a diffraction pattern that exhibits an embossed relief pattern (24, 26) and a coating layer (28, 32) that increases the visibility of the diffraction effect of the embossed relief pattern (24, 26). According to the present invention, the relief pattern (24, 26) is formed on the basis of a cholesteric liquid crystalline material (24) and the coating layer (28, 32) includes a reflective (28) and/or a high-index layer (32).

Abstract: A process for producing a multilayer body (100) is specified. In this process, an HRI layer (7) made of a material having a high refractive index is applied to at least part of the surface area of a substrate (4). At least one partial region (10) of the HRI layer (7) is then physically removed from the substrate (4) again by treatment with an alkaline solution. Additionally specified is a multilayer body (100) that can be obtained by such a process.

Abstract: An optically variable security device comprises a photonic crystal which, upon receipt of incident light, generates a first optical effect, and which, when the device is subjected-to-an external stimulus, generates a second optical effect that is different from the first optical effect. At least one of the first and second optical effects is an optically variable effect observable over a set of directions. The optically variable effect is caused by the light being selectively reflected or transmitted by the crystal.

Abstract: The invention relates to a security element for security papers, bank notes, ID cards or the like, with a substrate, on which are disposed at least two metal layers, the metal layers having different optical densities.

Abstract: A security device for authenticating bank notes, documents and other items, comprises a luminescent material for producing luminescent radiation of first and second wavelengths. The security device includes an optically variable structure for controlling emission of luminescent radiation of at least one of the first and second wavelengths from the security device, the security device being arranged to permit, from an area of the optically variable structure, emission of luminescence of the first and second wavelengths from the security device. The optically variable structure causes the relative emissivity of the security device for luminescent radiation of the first and second wavelengths to change with a change m emission angle, so that the security device produces an angle-dependent color shift m the emitted luminescent radiation.

Abstract: An optically variable security device comprises a photonic crystal of which incident light received by the crystal is selectively reflected or transmitted by the crystal to generate a first optically variable effect observable over a first set of directions. Incident light received by the crystal is also selectively reflected or transmitted by the crystal to generate an optical effect observable over a second set of directions that is different from the first set.

Abstract: A security foil includes two or more carrier substrates which have at least one optically active structure and at least two metal layers. The security foil is composed as follows: a) a first carrier substrate, b) a first radiation-curable lacquer layer into which an optically active structure is incorporated, c) a first metal layer, d) a protective lacquer layer, e) an adhesive layer, f) a second carrier substrate, g) a second radiation-curable lacquer layer, h) a second metal layer, i) optionally a protective lacquer layer, and k) optionally an adhesive coating. The adhesion between the layers g) and h) or f) and g) is significantly lower than the adhesion between the remaining layers.

Abstract: A composite security device is provided that is made up of a first polymer film that constitutes or embodies a security feature in the form of at least one high value material, and a second polymer film that constitutes, embodies, or is coated with one or more additional security features. The first polymer film is positioned on and adhered to a surface of the second polymer film, which has a width or diameter greater than the width or diameter of the first polymer film By way of the present invention, the high value material is applied to only a part of the security device, leaving remaining parts of the device available for one or more additional materials that do not impact upon the effect of the high value material.

Abstract: Improvements in security devices are provided that are used for authenticating or security applications. The security device includes a first color-shifting layer and a second color-shifting layer, which exhibits different reflective characteristics to the first color-shifting layer. A partial first light absorbing layer is between first surfaces of the first and second color-shifting layers and a second light absorbing layer applied to a second surface of the second color-shifting layer. The color of the partial first absorbing layer is selected to substantially match the color of light reflected at a normal angle of incidence by the combination of the second color-shifting layer and the second absorbing layer.