Abstract: A payment card includes hidden features (e.g., textual messages, graphics, emphasis features associated with conspicuous features of the payment card, or the like) undiscernible under only visible light, but discernable under ultraviolet light. The hidden features can be incorporated into multiple layers of a side of the payment card and can be present with different transparencies, different colors, and different persistence.

Abstract: A detectable dust-proof paper is provided. The detectable dust-proof paper includes a detected layer, a first plastic layers, and a first ink-receptive layer. The detected layer has two opposite surfaces. The detected layer includes at least one metal which is selected from the group consisting of: aluminum, copper, nickel, iron, and a mixture or an alloy thereof. The first plastic layer is disposed on one of the two surfaces of the detected layer. A material of the first plastic layer is selected from the group consisting of: a polyolefin, a polyester, a polyamide, and any combination thereof. The first ink-receptive layer is disposed on the first plastic layer. The first ink-receptive layer contains an inorganic ink-absorption material ranging between a value larger than 0 wt % and 75 wt %.

Abstract: A physical payment card includes hidden features (e.g., textual messages, graphics, emphasis features associated with conspicuous features of the payment card, or the like) undiscernible under only visible light, but discernable under ultraviolet light. A digital version of the physical card can be established on a user device. During setup, the user device can receive data regarding the hidden features that are associated with the physical card. Under a normal state, the user device can display the digital card without displaying the hidden features. However, upon activation (e.g., when the digital card is used, when the physical card is used, when the physical card is in sufficient proximity, or the like), the user device can display the hidden features on the digital card.

Abstract: A multilayer stack includes a first stretchable layer having a first length, a first adhesive layer disposed on a top surface of the first stretchable layer and having the first length, a second stretchable layer disposed on a top surface of the first adhesive layer and having a second length smaller than the first length, a radio frequency identification tag including an antenna having a spiral form and disposed on a top surface of the second stretchable layer or on a bottom surface of the second stretchable layer, a second adhesive layer disposed on the second stretchable layer and having a third length less than the first length and greater than the second length where the second adhesive layer encapsulates the second stretchable layer, and a third stretchable layer disposed on a top surface of the second adhesive layer and having the third length.

Abstract: To provide a light-emitting medium whereby different light-emitting forms can be realized that can easily be discriminated using a normal blacklight, and to provide a forgery prevention medium and a method for determining authenticity of the light-emitting medium. A light-emitting medium provided with a substrate and a first light-emitting region and a second light-emitting region disposed on both sides of the substrate, the substrate comprising a selective transmission region for transmitting non-visible light in a first wavelength region and essentially not transmitting non-visible light in a second wavelength region different from the first wavelength region, and the first light-emitting region and the second light-emitting region emitting light when irradiated by non-visible light in the first wavelength region and also emitting light when irradiated by non-visible light in the second wavelength region.

Abstract: A pigment system of different capsule-luminescent pigments have different emission spectra, preferably different color impressions of the luminescence emission, and possess substantially the same chemical stabilities. The capsule-luminescent pigments are based on organic or metalorganic luminescent substances.

Abstract: A phosphor composition, containing one or more phosphors having on a surface thereof a coating selected from silica, diamond, and diamond-like carbon, wherein the one or more phosphors are configured to emit radiation upon interaction with an initiation energy.

Abstract: An invisible light sensing device senses invisible light from a plurality of invisible light emitting objects in which each of the invisible light emitting objects emits invisible light in an identification pattern that is distinct from other identification patterns. An identification pattern is based on one or more apertures through which invisible light is emitted to form the identification pattern. An identification pattern is also based on a plurality of invisible light emitters in which at least a portion of the invisible light emitters are positioned and activated to form the identification pattern.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a printed image comprising flake-form effect pigments which has striking matt/gloss effects, to a process for the production of a printed image of this type, and to the use thereof, in particular in security printing.

Abstract: Tags comprising marks arranged in a predetermined pattern are applied to an item. The marks are made with an ink that fluoresces under infrared (IR) light. A camera with a filter acquires an image of the light emitted by the fluorescence of the ink. This image is processed to determine a portion of the image in which the tag is located. Once located, that portion is processed to rectify and align the tag. This rectified image is then processed to read out tag data that is encoded by the arrangement of marks. The tag data may then be used to identify the item, designate shipping information, and so forth.

Abstract: An article comprising a substrate which carries a doped tin oxide wherein less than 50 mol % of the tin atoms in the tin oxide are substituted with a dopant element.

Abstract: There is described a security element or document comprising a substrate (20) and at least a first dynamic-effect feature (100; 120; 121; 122; 123; 130; 135; 140; 150; 171; 181; 191; 200) provided on the substrate which includes a dynamic-effect component that is responsive to illumination stimulus of a selected excitation wavelength or wavelength band to produce an optical spectral response, which optical spectral response changes dynamically over an observable period of time between multiple color appearances (C, F, M; C1, M1) upon and while being subjected to the illumination stimulus.

Abstract: Encrypted markers that are not readily detectable can be revealed by treatment with a specific reagent used as a developer to reveal a readily detectable physical property of the marker, such as a characteristic fluorescence emission after excitation with a particular excitation wavelength, or to reveal a visible color. The encrypted marker can be developed in situ, or a sample can be removed by brushing, scraping, swabbing or scratching the marked object or item and developing the encrypted marker or a sample thereof with the appropriate developer to reveal an overt marker or optical signal. The marker can be revealed by exposure of the encrypted marker or a sample thereof to the developer in any suitable form, such as a solution, a slurry, a swab, a solid (such as in granular form), or a gas or a vapor that includes a developer.

Abstract: Spectral characteristics for printing fluids are obtained. Reflectance values for computing a gamut in spectral space are determined. A tessellation of the gamut is performed. The gamut provides a mapping of reflectance to Neugebauer Primary area coverages for a printing device. The printing device can print an image using the Neugebauer Primary area coverages.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a sidewalk-facing display window of a retail store is treated to scatter (or absorb) a portion of incident light, in a narrow wavelength spectral band. A machine-readable pattern, which encodes an identifier, is projected onto the treated window from outside the store. The reflection (absorption) of that projected pattern, within the narrow spectral band, escapes notice of shoppers on the sidewalk. Yet if a shopper captures imagery of a product displayed on the other side of the display window, using a mobile device camera, the pattern is captured with the imagery, and can be analyzed to decode the identifier. The mobile device can use this decoded identifier to access online information about the displayed product, for presentation to the shopper on the mobile device display. The technology is particularly suited for wearable computing devices, and more generally enables glass windows to subliminally convey digital information to image sensors conveyed by passing shoppers.

Abstract: The invention relates to a security and/or value document having a security feature, to an ink for making the security feature, to a method for making such a security and/or value document, and to a method for verifying such a security and/or value document.

Abstract: A color shift image pattern is rendered on a recording medium, by creating, in a pre-defined image region, an image pattern including a first pattern having a first color and a second pattern having a second color, the first pattern having a width smaller than the second pattern, the first color being different from the second color; and rendering, using marking materials, the image pattern on a recording medium, a height of the marking materials used to render the second color being higher than a height of the marking materials used to render the first color such that the first pattern and the second pattern are visible when a relative angle between an observer's viewing angle and an angle of illuminating the recording medium by an illumination source is a first angle, and the first pattern is not visible when the relative angle between the observer's viewing angle and the angle of illuminating the recording medium by the illumination source is a second angle, the second angle being not equal to the first an

Abstract: Methods and devices receive a document having an apparent color shift region. Such methods and devices automatically select first and second colors to have different reflectance properties for use in the apparent color shift region, and these methods and devices automatically control a first pixel density of the first color to be less than a second pixel density of the second color within the apparent color shift region. The methods and devices print the document. The selection of the first color and the second color, and the control of the first pixel density to be less than the second pixel density causes the second color to have a greater change in brightness appearance relative to a change in brightness appearance of the first color when the printed document is viewed from different angles relative to a light source.

Abstract: A security document comprises a substrate (1) and an optical waveguide (7). Couplers (10a, 10h) are provided in the waveguide (7) for coupling light into and out of the waveguide. The couplers (10a, 10b) can e.g. by gratings, scattering objects, holograms, luminescent dyes or perforations. The authenticity of the document can be verified using methods based on the properties of the waveguide.

Abstract: Embodiments include luminescent materials and associated production methods. The material includes a crystal borate having a first substitutable element and a second substitutable element, one or more rare earth ions substituted for the first substitutable element, and chromium substituted for the second substitutable element. The one or more rare earth ions are selected from a group consisting of neodymium and ytterbium. The material also may include a medium within which particles of the borate are incorporated. The medium, with the luminescent material particles, may form a security feature of an article. Embodiments of methods for identifying whether such a luminescent material is incorporated with an article include exposing a portion of the article to excitation in a chromium absorption band, and determining whether a detected emission produced by the article as a result of the excitation indicates an ytterbium emission after termination of the exposing step.

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: A security feature has a luminescent component and a component camouflaging the luminescent component. A security feature has a luminescent component with at least one luminophore consisting of a doped host lattice, and a component camouflaging the luminescent component, wherein for camouflaging the luminescent component, relevant properties required for identifying the luminescent component are camouflaged by the camouflaging component by the relevant properties of the luminescent component. The relevant properties being camouflaged by the camouflaging component in at least two of the relevant properties by the camouflaging component having relevant properties that correspond to the respective relevant properties of the luminescent component, thereby impeding or preventing a recognition of the luminescent component.

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

Abstract: Systems are provided for determining toner color having a processor that generates a fluorescent toner color image that when printed using a corresponding fluorescent toner will generate a diffuse fluorescent color light that reduces the extent to which noise induced variations in density in a noise evident portion of a toner print are observable. The processor further adjusts reflective toner color images used to form the toner print so that the reflective toner color images combine with the fluorescent color image to form a target color image.

Abstract: Systems for determining toner colors to be combined to form a target color at a location on a receiver. In one aspect, a system has a processor that determines a fluorescent toner color to be provided at the location based upon the density and hue angle of the target color and that determines one or more reflective toner colors to be provided with the determined fluorescent toner color at the location to form the target color in which the amount of the fluorescent toner color is decreased as the target color density increases.

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

Abstract: Labels that may selectively provide signaling are shown. In one example, a fluorescent signaling section of a label may be perforated and may be mechanically removed from the main portion of the label to selectively provide a label that does not emit a fluorescent signal. In another example, a thermal printer is used to quench a fluorescent section of a label so that it does not emit a fluorescent signal.

Abstract: The invention relates to a security element comprising a carrier substrate comprising a transparent or translucent area carrying at least one digitised mark made of at least one set of dots appearing as a three dimensional mark when viewed in transmitted light. The invention relates to a security support or document or article comprising the said security element and to the method of identification and/or authentication of this security support or document or article.

Abstract: The invention relates to a printed document of value having at least one authenticity feature in the form of a luminescent substance based on doped host lattices. The host lattice has a strong crystal field and is doped with at least one chromophore with the electron configuration (3d)2.

Abstract: Articles, methods of validating the articles, and validating systems are provided herein. In an embodiment, an article includes a substrate and a security feature on the substrate. The security feature includes a first region that has a first ink composition and a second region that has a second ink composition. The first ink composition includes a first luminescent phosphor and the second ink composition includes a second luminescent phosphor that is different from the first luminescent phosphor. The first luminescent phosphor and the second luminescent phosphor have indistinguishable excitation energy wavelengths, indistinguishable emission wavelengths, and distinguishable temporal decay properties.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for securing a colored or uncoloured translucent or opaque object (1), in which a sticker (2) is affixed to the back of the object (1), said sticker comprising: a substrate including a watermark or pseudo-watermark (4) which is sufficiently transparent to allow the object (1) to be seen through the watermark or pseudo-watermark (4); and a luminescent agent which is positioned at least partially over the watermark or pseudo-watermark (4) between the watermark or pseudo-watermark (4) and the object (1).

Abstract: A printed dynamic optical illusion printed on a printing device using a plurality of colorants, wherein one or more of the colorants are appearance mutable colorants having spectral characteristics that can be controllably switched between a first colorant state and a second colorant state by application of an appropriate external stimulus, and wherein one or more mutable portions of the optical illusion image are printed using at least one appearance mutable colorant. The mutable portions are controllable such that when they are in a first appearance state the printed optical illusion image has a first illusion state, and when they are in a second appearance state the printed optical illusion image has a second illusion state, thereby changing the optical illusion image from the first illusion state to the second illusion state so as to affect the perception of an optical illusion by a human observer.

Abstract: A method for providing a printed optical illusion image having first and second illusion states, comprising: receiving a specification of an optical illusion image having one or more mutable portions; and printing the optical illusion image on a printing device using a plurality of colorants, wherein one or more of the colorants are appearance mutable colorants having spectral characteristics can be switched between a first colorant state and a second colorant state by application of an appropriate external stimulus. The printed optical illusion image can be switched between the first and second illusion states by applying the appropriate external stimulus to controllably switch the one or more appearance mutable colorants between their first and second colorant states, thereby switching the mutable portions of the printed optical illusion image between corresponding first and second appearance states.

Abstract: The invention describes a method providing prints with fluorescent effects on a document generated by color electrophotographic print processes, employing an electrophotographic printer equipped with five print modules, where four printing stations are equipped with black, yellow, magenta and cyan toners and a fifth station is equipped with substantially clear fluorescent toners to be printed on top of the color toners or directly on a substrate of the print document. In further developments of the present invention, the clear fluorescent toner absorbs light in the UV-A range or comprises metallic pigments or metallic effect pigments added to the clear fluorescent toner.

Abstract: Disclosed are fluorescent compounds with large Stokes-shift and a process for their preparation. More particularly, disclosed are fluorescent compounds that are colourless. The compounds can be used in compositions for inks, paints and plastics, especially in a wide variety of printing systems and are particularly well-suited for security applications.

Abstract: Provided is a reflected pattern-printed transparent sheet in which a high reflection intensity of a non-visible light is obtained and in which a transparency in a visible light region is high. The above transparent sheet is a reflected pattern-printed transparent sheet in which non-visible light reflective transparent patterns are printed on a surface of a transparent substrate and which is mounted oppositely to a front face of a medium capable of displaying images, wherein an ink forming the transparent patterns described above contains a non-visible light reflection material; the non-visible light reflection material is a material having a wavelength selection reflectivity to a wavelength in a non-visible light region; and a thickness of the above transparent patterns is 6 to 20 ?m.

Abstract: There is provided a light-emitting medium by which whether a valuable paper or the like is forged or not can be judged easily and promptly. A light-emitting medium constituting a valuable paper includes a light-emitting image. The light-emitting image is composed of a pattern area formed on a substrate by using a first fluorescent ink containing a first fluorescent material, and a background area formed on the substrate by using a second fluorescent ink containing a second fluorescent material. When UV-A is irradiated, the first fluorescent ink and the second fluorescent ink emit light of colors that are viewed as different colors from each other. In addition, when UV-C is irradiated, the first fluorescent ink and the second fluorescent ink emit light of colors that are viewed as different colors from each other, the colors being different from the colors that are viewed when the UV-A is irradiated.

Abstract: The invention relates to a novel security feature in the form of a luminescent marking for integration in a recording material. The security feature comprises a radiation layer (21) with luminescent components and a masking layer (2) with cavity pigments at least partly masking the radiation layer. The pigments in the masking layer (2) are fused by locally defined heal treatment into the form of a marking. The invention particularly relates to a heat-sensitive recording material comprising, in a preferred embodiment, at least one substrate (10), a heat-sensitive recording layer (30), an intermediate layer (21), between the substrate and the heat-sensitive recording layer in the form of a radiation layer with luminescent components and a masking layer with cavity pigments (2), the pigments of the masking layer (2) being fused in the form of a marking by locally defined fusion.

Abstract: A light-emitting medium including a light-emitting image having a pattern area formed on a substrate by using a first fluorescent ink containing a first fluorescent material, a background area formed on the substrate by using a second fluorescent ink containing a second fluorescent material, and a overcoat layer formed on the first fluorescent material of the pattern area and the second fluorescent material of the background area. The first fluorescent material is made of a fluorescent material which emits light of blue color when UV-A is irradiated, and emits light of red color when UV-C is irradiated. The second fluorescent material is made of a fluorescent material which emits light of blue color or light of a color that is viewed as the same color as the blue color when the UV-A is irradiated, and emits light of green color when the UV-C is irradiated.

Abstract: An imaging device includes a plurality of ink jets that eject drops of substantially clear ink onto print media. One of the print media and the substantially clear ink has a fluorescent characteristic and the other of the print media and the substantially clear ink is substantially non-fluorescent. The imaging device includes a fluorescence sensor that illuminates the print media and detects a fluorescence intensity of light received from the print media alone and from the print media and the drops of substantially clear ink ejected onto the media. A controller modifies an operating parameter of the imaging device with reference to ink drop masses identified with reference to the detected fluorescent intensities.

Abstract: A printed document of value having at least one authenticity feature in the form of a luminescent substance on the basis of host lattices which are doped with one or a plurality of ions. Since the host lattices are doped with different ions, exchange interactions between clusters of ions that occur leads to cooperative effects.

Abstract: A security paper for producing security documents, such as bank notes, identity cards or the like, having at least one opening, whereby the opening is produced during papermaking and does not have a sharp limiting edge in the edge area.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a security structure (10), comprising at least one first fluorescent composition (13) and at least one second phosphorescent composition (12), the first and second compositions being simultaneously excitable by a predefined illuminant from a single first surface (14) of the structure, the security structure (10) being provided in the form of a security thread, a security film, or a patch, wherein the first fluorescent composition is at least partially stacked on the second phosphorescent composition and/or the first and second compositions are used for the reference marking on the security structure.

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.

Abstract: The invention relates to a data carrier into which, by means of a laser beam, identifiers are introduced that are visible in the form of irreversible changes, caused by the laser beam, in the optical properties of the data carrier. According to the present invention, the data carrier comprises a laser-sensitive layer (20) that is opaque in the visible spectral range, and that is combined with a securing layer (22) that is metallized at least in a sub-area, the identifiers (30, 32) being introduced by the laser beam simultaneously and in perfect register into the laser-sensitive layer (20) and the metallized sub-area (24) of the securing layer (22).

Abstract: A soil and/or moisture resistant secure document and a method for producing such a secure document, are provided. The inventive method preferably employs a size press or other similar device to force a soil and/or moisture resistant formulation into the pores of the substrate and to remove excess formulation from opposing surfaces thereof. Soil and/or moisture resistant formulations when applied this way instead of by way of standard coating techniques do not obscure optically variable effects generated by non-porous OVDs that may be employed on or within these secure documents. In addition, thin layers of fibers (e.g., papermaking fibers) overlying and thus embedding portions of security devices in windowed secure documents that have been rendered soil and/or moisture resistant in accordance with this invention demonstrate increased durability.

Abstract: A scratch-off lottery ticket includes a substrate having at least one play area with play indicia provided thereon. A scratch-off layer is disposed over the play indicia. A luminescent material is disposed relative to the scratch-off layer and the play indicia such that unauthorized removal of the scratch-off layer in an attempt to reveal the underlying play indicia is rendered optically apparent upon subsequent excitation of the play area with an excitation source that excites the luminescent material.

Abstract: The present invention enables creating authenticable multi-ink luminescent continuous tone color halftone images offering means of verifying their authenticity. The invented luminescent color halftone image synthesizing techniques enable increasing the attractiveness and aesthetics of color images. The invention relies on daylight luminescent inks, color prediction models for daylight luminescent halftones, color gamuts of luminescent and non-luminescent inks, color separation into luminescent and non-luminescent ink layers, mapping of input gamuts into a luminescent target gamuts by gamut reduction and/or expansion strategies, and luminescent color halftone image generation. The basic authentication is performed by examining the excitation trace image of the synthesized luminescent color halftone image under an illuminant active within its excitation wavelength range.

Abstract: A laser markable security laser transfer film includes a carrier web formed from a laser light-transmissive material and a taggant-containing film disposed on the carrier web. The taggant-containing film is formulated from an energy sensitive taggant capable of withstanding temperatures of at least about 1800° F. to about 2200° F. The taggant absorbs energy at a first predetermined wavelength and, in response, emits energy at a second predetermined wavelength that is different from the first wavelength. The taggant-containing film further includes a polymeric resin. The taggant-containing film is disposed on the object to be marked with the taggant-containing film adjacent the object, and laser light is directed through the film to fuse the taggant-containing film onto the object to form a taggant-containing marking on the object.