Printing, engraving, etching, or embossing techniques and security documents produced therefrom that can help inhibit or prevent tampering or forgery, particularly forgery or tampering of security document blanks or blank security documents. For example, for at least one character of a given alphabet used for the text in the security document, the character may include one or more slight variations or differences between instances of such character based on, for example, human selection, a predefined pattern, an automated selection algorithm or formula, or random or semi-random selection. In order to duplicate the security document blank, a forger would need to painstakingly review and copy each individual character including the slight variation or difference provided with that instance of the character.

Printing, engraving, etching, or embossing techniques and security documents produced therefrom that can help inhibit or prevent tampering or forgery, particularly forgery or tampering of security document blanks or blank security documents. For example, for at least one character of a given alphabet used for the text in the security document, the character may include one or more slight variations or differences between instances of such character based on, for example, human selection, a predefined pattern, an automated selection algorithm or formula, or random or semi-random selection. In order to duplicate the security document blank, a forger would need to painstakingly review and copy each individual character including the slight variation or difference provided with that instance of the character.

Security documents often incorporate security devices to prevent or hinder counterfeiters. Disclosed herein are security devices that include a fluid or fluids within the devices. Such devices, and security documents that include them, afford new techniques to check whether a security document is a legitimate or counterfeit copy.

Security documents often incorporate security devices to prevent or hinder counterfeiters. Disclosed herein are security devices that include a fluid or fluids within the devices. Such devices, and security documents that include them, afford new techniques to check whether a security document is a legitimate or counterfeit copy.

A device for recording information in a data carrier, comprising a data carrier receptacle for partially receiving the data carrier in a planar manner; a data carrier cover arranged relative to the data carrier receptacle, which is designed for holding the data carrier between the data carrier receptacle and the data carrier cover; a laser source for the controlled emission of a laser beam designed to effect irreversible changes of the data carrier with the laser beam; and a mount that receives the data carrier receptacle to be pivotable about a pivot axis. The data carrier receptacle has two or more positions, that allow the data carrier receptacle to be received in the mount in such a way that the data carrier receptacle can be repositioned about the pivot axis in a pivotable manner.

A non-provisioned card having a front side and a back side, and at least one visible surface that is patinated or activated to promote patination.

A non-provisioned card having a front side and a back side, and at least one visible surface that is patinated or activated to promote patination.

A method of manufacturing an image pattern for a security device includes providing a metallised substrate; applying a first photosensitive resist layer to a substrate first metal layer exposing the resist layer to radiation; exposing the resist layer to a first reactant substance; activating a cross linking agent in the resist layer; exposing first and second pattern elements of the resist layer to radiation of a wavelength to which the resist layer is responsive whereupon newly-exposed first pattern elements of the first photosensitive resist layer react, resulting in increased solubility by the second etchant substance, the second pattern elements remaining relatively insoluble by the second etchant substance; and applying first and second etchant substances to the substrate whereupon the first pattern elements of both the first resist layer and the first metal layer are dissolved, the remaining second pattern elements of the first metal layer forming an image pattern.

A method of manufacturing an image pattern for a security device includes providing a metallised substrate; applying a first photosensitive resist layer to a substrate first metal layer exposing the resist layer to radiation; exposing the resist layer to a first reactant substance; activating a cross linking agent in the resist layer; exposing first and second pattern elements of the resist layer to radiation of a wavelength to which the resist layer is responsive whereupon newly-exposed first pattern elements of the first photosensitive resist layer react, resulting in increased solubility by the second etchant substance, the second pattern elements remaining relatively insoluble by the second etchant substance; and applying first and second etchant substances to the substrate whereupon the first pattern elements of both the first resist layer and the first metal layer are dissolved, the remaining second pattern elements of the first metal layer forming an image pattern.

An optical device includes an array of lenses and a plurality of first and second segments disposed under the array of lenses. At a first viewing angle, the array of lenses presents a first image for viewing without presenting the second image for viewing, and at a second viewing angle different from the first viewing angle, the array of lenses presents for viewing the second image without presenting the first image for viewing. In some examples, individual ones of the first and second segments can comprise specular reflecting, transparent, diffusely reflecting, and/or diffusely transmissive features. In some examples, individual ones of the first and second segments can comprise transparent and non-transparent regions. Some examples can incorporate more than one region producing an optical effect.