Abstract: An article of manufacture including an optically variable surface pattern is disclosed. The optical surface pattern makes visible one out of a plurality of N image representations for each one out of N predetermined viewing directions. The surface pattern comprises M grating elements, each of the grating elements being divided into N grating element sub-portions. Each of the N sub-portions of each grating element contains a diffraction element in the form of a relief structure with predetermined parameters for diffracting incident light. Each of the sub-portions of each grating element thereby corresponds to one pixel of one of the N image representations, so that one of the N image representations is visible from each of said predetermined viewing directions.

Abstract: A hard to simulate, readily distinguishable from counterfeits, optical interference authenticating device comprises a substrate, and two optical interference coatings in interfacial contact on one side of the substrate, one of the optical interference coatings being a contrast coating, the other of the optical interference coatings being a form depicting coating for depicting a form relative to the contrast coating. The optical interference coatings each comprising at least one optical interference layer the material and thickness of which has been selected for the coatings to have different, particular, known spectral reflectance and spectral transmittance characteristics from one another when viewed at a particular angle, such that the form depicting coating is visible by reflected or transmitted light of particular coloration, when viewed at the particular angle, at least in part by optical interference of light partically reflected or transmitted at the interfacial contact.

Abstract: Documents and data, patterns, etc., applied thereto, which are present in the form of a surface relief, in particular in the form of embossed characters, are provided partially in the area of this surface relief with luminescent substance which is testable visibly and by machine. The luminescent substance is introduced either into raised or into depressed areas of the surface relief, so that characteristic features of the surface relief are reflected in its spatial distribution. The data can thus be tested for falsification and at the same time for authenticity in a simple way.

Abstract: A document with an embossed macroscopic structure and acting through optical diffraction is disclosed. The structure, which serves as a security element comprises a plurality of surface portions with predetermined relief structures having spatial frequencies of over 10 lines/mm. Each surface portion is different from directly adjoining surface portions and at least some of the surface portions have a maximum dimension of less than 0.3 mm. To the naked eye, the pattern of surface portions on the document appears as a mesh of dots and lines. However, to an examiner with a magnifying device, the dots and lines appear as numbers, characters or other graphic features.

Abstract: A variable color print of an image including an image medium having a plurality of differently oriented local image regions. Each region includes a number of periodic variations in an optical characteristic of the medium which extend substantially in a first direction within that region and are generally parallel to each other in a second direction transverse to the first direction. Each region further includes a number of periodic variations in color which extend in the first direction and are generally parallel to each other in the second direction and are generally aligned with the periodic optical variations in that region. The periodic optical variations selectively prevent viewing of one or more of the color variations at different viewing angles to generate changes in color of the viewed image as the viewing angle changes. A method of forming such a variable color print is also disclosed.

Abstract: Security papers according to the invention comprise opposed surfaces for the provision of printing to identify a document formed from the paper, and positioned at least partially between the two surfaces of the paper as a public security feature a security device of not more than 5 mm width, which device comprises a flexible, water-impermeable substrate with a layer of metal on one or both sides of the substrate, there being present on one side of the device a continuous metal path along its length, wherein said device has metal-free portions of between 10% and 50% of the area of the device, said metal-free portions along the length of the device providing a repeating pattern, design, indicia or the like with at least some of the metal-free portions across the tranverse direction of the device being wholly surrounded by metal. The metal-free portions may provide characters of a language, such as letters of the English alphabet.

Abstract: A metallized plastic strip containing security indicia is incorporated within currency paper to deter counterfeiting. The plastic strip is made difficult to detect under reflected light by selective pigmentation to match the currency inks. The presence of the security indicia is verified by detection under transmitted light.

Abstract: A variable color print of an image including an image medium having a plurality of differently oriented local image regions. Each region includes a number of periodic variations in an optical characteristic of the medium which extend substantially in a first direction within that region and are generally parallel to each other in a second direction transverse to the first direction. Each region further includes a number of periodic variations in color which extend in the first direction and are generally parallel to each other in the second direction and are generally aligned with the periodic optical variations in that region. The periodic optical variations selectively prevent viewing of one or more of the color variations at different viewing angles to generate changes in color of the viewed image as the viewing angle changes. A method of forming such a variable color print is also disclosed.

Abstract: Thin film optical variable article to be used in a reflection mode having a gold to green color shift with angle for currency authentication and adapted to be carried by a substantially opaque currency sheet which serves as a substrate. The article includes a substantially transparent, optically thick element carrying a colorant and having first and second surfaces and a multilayer interference coating carried on one of said first and second surfaces. The article is adapted to be carried by the currency sheet so that the coating faces the currency sheet and the colorant carrying element serves as a superstrate facing the incident light. The multilayer interference coating is comprised of a substantially opaque layer of aluminum nearest the substrate, followed by a layer of magnesium fluoride, and then by a layer of chromium having substantial transmission.

Abstract: A replica hologram structure wherein an information carrying relief pattern on one surface of the hologram is not metallized for reflection, as is the usual case, but rather air between the hologram and a supporting substrate causes incident light to be reflected from the surface relief pattern, thereby to form a reconstruction of an image or other light pattern. The surface relief pattern may be positioned immediately against the substrate, or, alternatively, held apart from it by spacers. The hologram and substrate are held together by any of a wide variety of mechanisms, including adhesive, welding and static electricity, in a manner that does not interfere with the reconstruction or viewing of the image or other light pattern from the hologram. Such a hologram structure has a use in product packaging and other applications where it is desired to be able to look through the hologram as well as be able to view the image or other light pattern reconstructed from it by reflection.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an antifalsification document having an embedded secutiry thread, and to a method for producing the same. This security thread is transparent and has a printed pattern on one side and, on the opposite side, a lenticular structure coordinated with the printed pattern. Such threads change their appearance when the viewing angle changes. To produce the security threads, a transparent film impressed with the desired lenticular relief is directed to a printing apparatus in exact register via guide elements having a relief structure that is negative with respect to the film impression, and then divided in a cutting apparatus into individual threads.

Abstract: An improved authenticating device comprises a substrate bonded to the sheet material, the substrate having a reflective diffractive structure formed as a relief pattern on a viewable surface thereof, and a transparent material covering the structure. Specified grating parameters of the diffractive structure, obtainable at low cost, result in peculiar, but easily discernable, optical color properties that cannot be copied by color copying machines.

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.

Abstract: Paper is provided with resistance to photocopying or transmission by telefacsimile by spatial spectral modulation of the paper reflectance at a specific single or preferably multiple frequencies. Such paper has a colored pattern of at least two colors repeating in at least one dimension of a face of a paper with at least one frequency in the range of from about 0.5 to about 50 times per cm. The colors contrast with black or similar dark color to permit black or similar dark colored information to be visible readable when applied to the colored pattern. The colors also cooperate with such information to provide a document resistant to photocopying and transmission by telefacsimile.

Abstract: A tag for locating, color coding, numbering, and or supplying other information at service points. Said tag composed of locator tag body (12) with attachment hole (10). The tag body (12) being composed of an elastic material that will allow attachment hole (16) to be stretched over lubricant fitting neck (24) of lubricant fitting (18). A color indicia coding (14) may be within the material of the locator tag body (14) or printed or laminated on its surfaces. Numbers, symbols, maintenance information, etc., may be displayed on locator tag bodys (12) information area (16).

Abstract: Thin film structure having magnetic properties and optically variable properties comprising a substrate and a multilayer interference coating carried by the substrate producing an inherent color shift with angle. The interference coating has a metal-dielectric design which includes a metal which has magnetic as well as reflective properties.

Abstract: Holograms, including diffraction gratings, and methods of making them, that reconstruct an image which changes as the hologram is tilted with respect to the viewer and in a manner that images reconstructed from copies made of the hologram in monochromatic light do not have that motion. The hologram is a valuable security device for authenticating documents or objects to which it is attached since it is extremely difficult to duplicate.

Abstract: A coded card for use in a melody playing apparatus. The coded card has four quadrants, each quadrant having a different melody therein. A synchronization code is encoded down the center of the card between alternates ones of the quadrants. By alternately rotating and turning the card over, each of the four quadrants with different melodies and the synchronization code will appear at a same predetermined quadrant position. Therefore, when playing on the melody playing apparatus, each of the melodies can be decoded thereby.

Abstract: A pattern is applied to a particular surface in order to detect whether that the surface is in a concave or convex state. One set of regions within the surface bear one color or other coherent appearance, and another set bear a different color or a different coherent appearance. When the surface is in a convex state, light is predominantly reflected from one set of regions, whereas, in the concave state light is reflected from the other set of regions. In this way a clearly visible indication is given of the state of the surface. The surface can, for example, be part of a vacuum pack containing foodstuffs so as to indicate whether the vacuum in the pack remains or has been broken.

Abstract: A hidden message device and a method by which a hidden message device is produced. A translucent sheet, of any desired color and of any desired material has a hidden message applied thereto by means of a coating material, such as ink, which has the same color as the sheet. Thus, the hidden message portion of the sheet is substantially opaque and/or presents a significant contrast in translucency. The hidden message is not observable until the sheet is positioned between the observer and a source of light. If desired the hidden message may be applied to the sheet in locations among printed material which is applied to the sheet in a conventional manner in a color or colors different from the color of the sheet. Thus, the conventional printed material is readily observable, but the hidden message is observable only when viewed in front of a source of light.

Abstract: An identifier for use in radiology comprises a plastic carrier having thermoformed recesses. A radiopaque material is deposited in the recesses and a sheet is adhesively attached to the carrier to hold the radiopaque material in the recesses. The sheet may be provided with an adhesive which will hold the indentifier against or near an object while the object is being X-rayed.

Abstract: An identity document has graphical information printed on a support and including uncoded alphanumerical information which is specific to a holder of the document or to the document. The surface of the support is broken down into a network of macropixels each having a predetermined average light absorption level. Each of the micropixels in turn consists of a dot pattern matrix of micropixels each having a light absorption level selected among at least two predetermined levels and distributed for the average absorption of each of the macropixels to be said predetermined average light absorption level and for constituting a screen which reproduces on a microscopic scale part at least of the uncoded specific information.

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

Abstract: Thin film optical variable article to be used in a reflection mode having a gold to green color shift with angle for currency authentication and adapted to be carried by a substantially opaque currency sheet which serves as a substrate. The article includes a substantially transparent, optically thick element carrying a subtractive colorant and having first and second surfaces and a multilayer interference coating carried on one of said first and second surfaces. The article is adapted to be carried by the currency sheet so that the coating faces the currency sheet and the colorant carrying element serves as a superstrate facing the incident light. The multilayer interference coating is comprised of a substantially opaque layer of aluminum nearest the substrate, followed by a layer of magnesium fluoride, and then by a layer of chromium having substantial transmission. The colorant has a yellow hue.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a data carrier (identification card, bank card, credit card, etc.) in which information is provided in an inner volume area by means of a laser beam, the information being visible in the form of changes in the optical properties of the carrier material due to an irreversible change in the material caused by the laser beam and to a method for producing the data carrier and for testing it.

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

Abstract: The multilayer identification card comprises several synthetic layers compounded by the effects of heat and pressure. An inside interface of at least one of these layers exhibits depressions which are filled with the material of the adjacent layer during the laminating process. The adjacent layers are selected in such a way that they are of different transparency. Thus a light and shadow effect is produced in incident light which is reversed in transmitted light.

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

Abstract: Thin film optically variable article having substantial color shift with varying angle of light incidence and viewing and including an optically thick, substantially transparent element carrying a colorant and having first and second surfaces. A multilayer interference coating is carried on one of said first and second surfaces. The colorant serves to modify in essentially a subtractive mode the color at normal incidence and the color shift with angle of the multilayer interference coating as seen by reflection or transmission.

Abstract: Thin film optical variable article to be used in a reflection mode having a gold to green color shift with angle for currency authentication and adapted to be carried by a substantially opaque currency sheet which serves as a substrate. The article includes a substantially transparent, optically thick element carrying a subtractive colorant and having first and second surfaces and a multilayer interference coating carried on one of said first and second surfaces. The article is adapted to be carried by the currency sheet so that the coating faces the currency sheet and the colorant carrying element serves as a superstrate facing the incident light. The multilayer interference coating is comprised of a substantially opaque layer of aluminum nearest the substrate, followed by a layer of magnesium fluoride, and then by a layer of chromium having substantial transmission. The colorant has a yellow hue.

Abstract: A secure and self-verifiable image is formed by an array of image dots 30 on one side of a pellucid stratum or film 10 and a corresponding array of light-transmitting apertures 21 in a dark screen 20 on the other side of film 10, with image dots 30 being offset from the axes of apertures 21 so that the image is viewable only by light passing obliquely through film 10 at an angle that intersects arrayed apertures 21 and dots 30. Both apertures 21 and dots 30 occupy up to about 15% of the total area and the array spacing is at least 40 dots per centimeter. The reflective density of the interaperture regions of dark screen 20 is at least 1.6, and pellucid film 10 is at least 0.05 mm thick.

Abstract: A credit card is made with a number of optical fibers sandwiched in the card. Some of the fibers intersect opposite edges of the card in a random fashion and provide a unique code characteristic of the card when light is directed into one edge and detected at the other. When cards are made in quantity, the fiber are added in a random fashion providing a unique code for each card.

Abstract: A security element for authenticating bank notes, credit cards, security passes and the like is disclosed. The security element incorporates a reflective-type diffraction grating, which grating comprises a continuous layer of reflecting material on which is deposited a layer of dielectric material. Non-continuous reflecting layer portions are embedded in the dielectric material. It is practically impossible to lay bare the diffraction grating without destroying it.

Abstract: A method of screening half-tone picture themes, in which the gray tones of the half-tone picture theme are reproduced by changes in the structural width of a basic screen structure having any desired form. The assignment of a gray tone area of the half-tone picture theme to the screen structure width reproducing this gray tone area may be selectively determined. In a photographic version of the inventive method (FIG. 1), a basic screen structure 1 of any form is prepared and used to produce broadening screen structures as negative films 9,11. The same number of tone separations 20,22 is produced as negative films from the picture theme 13 to be screened, each of which tone separations reproduces a certain gray tone area of the half-tone picture theme which can be adjusted by the exposure time.

Abstract: Security devices in the form of metalized plastic films are incorporated within a security paper such as banknotes and other valuable documents during the papermaking process for viewing solely by means of transmitted light. The devices comprise printing of extreme fine line clarity and high opacity such that legibility is possible by means of transmitted light while remaining completely indiscernable under reflected light.

Abstract: A document has information appearing thereon, with at least a portion of the information being located on a front face of a portion of the document. The front face portion has a color with a sufficiently low reflection spectral response to render the document portion substantially incapable of being photocopied in an information-readable manner. The document portion is capable of transmitting visible light from the rear face to the front face to cause sufficient contrast between the relatively non-translucent information and the transmitted light to enable the information to be read by a human eye viewing the front face of the document when visible light is transmitted through the document from the rear face to the front face.

Abstract: A secure and self-verifiable image is formed by an array of image dots 30 on one side of a pellucid stratum or film 10 and a corresponding array of light-transmitting apertures 21 in a dark screen 20 on the other side of film 10, with image dots 30 being offset from the axes of apertures 21 so that the image is viewable only by light passing obliquely through film 10 at an angle that intersects arrayed apertures 21 and dots 30. Both apertures 21 and dots 30 occupy up to about 15% of the total area and the array spacing is at least 40 dots per centimeter. The reflective density of the interaperture regions of dark screen 20 is at least 1.6, and pellucid film 10 is at least 0.05 mm thick.

Abstract: A system is disclosed including an authentication device as in the form of a document that is difficult to counterfeit and is individually identifiable. A sheet of medium comprising the document incorporates a section with a characteristic that specifically identifies the document as, for example, a section of varying translucency which will modulate a beam of light. Elements of such character identify the document as an individual unit. A visible mark or reference indicia on the document specifies the section of the document that serves to provide the characteristic identification. The visible mark is magnetic and records specific locations in the section and data on the document characteristic at such locations. An associated system is disclosed for producing and testing authenticator devices whereby the characteristic is sensed initially to be magnetically recorded in the mark and subsequently to be compared with the magnetically recorded data.

Abstract: Hard to simulate, readily distinguishable from counterfeits, optical interference authenticating devices are provided by depositing two coatings on a substrate, each coating comprising at least one optical interference layer, the material of each layer being selected so that the two coatings together and separately have different spectral reflectance and spectral transmittance characteristics at different angles of incidence of light thereon. The substrate may be, for example, a polyester film and a first one of the coatings is sufficiently radiation absorbing of, say, infrared radiation that at least one portion of that coating can be removed by an infrared laser beam through, for example, a mask to provide a readily distinguishable pattern on the substrate.

Abstract: A method of testing a security having a mechanically testable identifying mark, for example a security thread, which has a physical property, for example electric conductivity, which can be measured without contact by means of a first field, for example, an electric field. The physical property can be reproducibly influenced by the effect of a second field, for example an electromagnetic field. If this influence takes place periodically, a signal is produced as a measured variable modulated according to the mutual effect of the two fields.

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

Abstract: A standardized document such as a credit card has a thin, light-transmissive, electrically conductive interior layer, the impedance, capacitance, or conductance of which can be sensed to indicate the authenticity of the document. When the document is cut to expose a new edge, the authenticating layer at that edge is not visible to the naked eye and hence should foil the ordinary counterfeiter.

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

Abstract: The document of value is provided with a safety design extending on one portion or the whole of its surface. The entire surface of the safety design consists of juxtaposed groups of segments of raised parallel lines of two different heights forming high reliefs and low reliefs portions. The segments of two adjacent groups are parallel to two predetermined directions, preferably substantially perpendicular. The assembly of segments parallel to one of the directions and consisting of high reliefs on the whole or part of their length define a transitory image visible when the document is illuminated or observed parallel to a direction perpendicular to said segments and forming an acute angle with the plane of the document of value. A second transitory image is formed in a similar manner by high relief segments parallel to the other direction. The low raised segments or segment fractions constitute the background of the safety design.

Abstract: A reflective-diffractive coating layer, situated at the interface between a substrate layer and an overcoat layer of the device, is divided into a set of small, slightly separated regions. This allows a direct bond of the overcoat layer to the substrate layer within the separation areas, which direct bond provides a more secure bond than that provided by a bond of the coating layer to the substrate and overcoat layers.

Abstract: A document includes a substrate which has an outer surface and defines a plane, and a coordinate system which is defined with respect to the plane. A diffraction-optical authenticating element covers at least part of the outer surface, and generates at least one color pattern constituting a visually testable feature which verifies the authenticity of the document. The diffraction-optical authenticating element provides a color pattern moving at a predetermined velocity along a predetermined track when the document is illuminated from a first direction and viewed from a second direction, as defined with respect to the coordinate system, upon the document being rotated within the plane along a prearranged sense of rotation, and at a prearranged velocity.

Abstract: An identification device in the form of a security card or anti-counterfeiting label which comprises a hologram visible by reflection in incident natural light, the film emulsion having been permanently deformed so that the interference fringe spacings differ from those in a non-deformed emulsion, thereby to change from one part of the hologram to another the wavelength of light which is visible by reflection from the hologram.

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

Abstract: An identity card for information is provided by the imprint of security figures on the card or the exposure of features in the data carrier insert. The data carrier may be a photographic silver halide layer of a recording material. In addition to the photograph and data about the owner there is provided a film covering the information carrier with externally applied imprints. The shapes of these external imprints are identical to the security features on the insert and are positioned exactly above said features.

Abstract: Confidential information is printed, typed or otherwise applied to paper with a color having a reflection spectral response or less than about 10% for light with a wave-length below about 600 millimicrons. The color is sufficiently contrasting with the information to enable the information to be read by the human eye when the document is viewed under white light, but the document cannot be successfully photocopied.