The invention provides formulations and masterbatches of a polymeric material and XRF-identifiable markers, for producing transparent elements including a polymer and at least one XRF-identifiable marker for a variety of industrial uses.

Methods involve distributing a data stream in a value-document processing apparatus from at least one sensor to at least one processing unit and a system for distributing sensor data. The value-document processing apparatus has a distributing device and at least one processing unit. The distributing device comprises at least two data interfaces. A sensor data packet is created and comprises the sensor data and a target address. The target address describes a physical memory address of the at least one processing unit. The sensor data packet is sent to one of the data interfaces of the distributing device. The distributing device receives the sensor data packet at a further data interface. The sensor data packet is relayed by the distributing device to the at least one processing unit.

Methods involve distributing a data stream in a value-document processing apparatus from at least one sensor to at least one processing unit and a system for distributing sensor data. The value-document processing apparatus has a distributing device and at least one processing unit. The distributing device comprises at least two data interfaces. A sensor data packet is created and comprises the sensor data and a target address. The target address describes a physical memory address of the at least one processing unit. The sensor data packet is sent to one of the data interfaces of the distributing device. The distributing device receives the sensor data packet at a further data interface. The sensor data packet is relayed by the distributing device to the at least one processing unit.

A method for providing scratch-off lottery tickets for sale remote from a POS location in a retail establishment includes configuring the tickets with a game play area having play characters covered by a scratch-off coating. A print characteristic is provided in the game play area that is optically scannable but not reproducible when photocopying the game play area. In a database, identification of the printed characteristic is linked to a computer file associated with the lottery ticket at a central lottery computer. An optically scannable random identifier is also provided in the game play area and is linked to the computer file. Upon presentation of the lottery ticket for purchase, the ticket or a scanned image of the ticket is analyzed to verify that the print characteristic is present in the game play area. The scanned image of the ticket is analyzed to verify that the random identifier assigned to the lottery ticket is present in the game play area of the scanned image.

A method for providing scratch-off lottery tickets for sale remote from a POS location in a retail establishment includes configuring the tickets with a game play area having play characters covered by a scratch-off coating. A print characteristic is provided in the game play area that is optically scannable but not reproducible when photocopying the game play area. In a database, identification of the printed characteristic is linked to a computer file associated with the lottery ticket at a central lottery computer. An optically scannable random identifier is also provided in the game play area and is linked to the computer file. Upon presentation of the lottery ticket for purchase, the ticket or a scanned image of the ticket is analyzed to verify that the print characteristic is present in the game play area. The scanned image of the ticket is analyzed to verify that the random identifier assigned to the lottery ticket is present in the game play area of the scanned image.

An example apparatus includes a packaging container, and any of a label and an electronic tag detachably connected to the packaging container and including an electrical code set for electrical authentication upon removal of any of the label and the electronic tag from the packaging container and being affixed to a device associated with the packaging container, wherein the electrical authentication is to validate the packaging container and the device as original equipment manufacturer components. Any of the label and the packaging container is altered upon removal of the label from the packaging container.

Provided are an imaging unit capable of imaging a banknote processing device and a periphery of a transaction operation clerk who is operating the banknote processing device and a recording unit that records imaging data of the imaging unit, an identification number that is visually identifiable is inscribed on at least one surface of a partition card, the imaging unit is capable of imaging the identification number, and the recording unit records imaging data of the imaging.

Recognizing magnetic ink characters in an automated teller machine and, more particularly, recognizing magnetic ink characters in an automated teller machine. Results of optical character recognition (OCR) are compared based on an image acquired through a contact image sensor (CIS) provided in an authentication unit and character-based waveforms of magnetic ink characters acquired through an MR sensor. Whether a bill is legitimate is authenticated, and thus correct reading of magnetic ink characters printed on a check is realized. The structure of the authentication unit can be simplified so that correct recognition of the magnetic ink characters printed on the check in a normal automated teller machine is supported without a high-resolution MICR sensor, and the cost of manufacturing the automated teller machine can be effectively reduced.

In some embodiments, an authentication system may be configured to process one or more tokens that incorporates one or more tailored-wavelength-range coded patterns, codes represented within a steganographic image, or “overlapping” codes. As an example, such a token may include (i) one or more invisible-ink-printed patterns printed using infrared ink corresponding to different tailored wavelength ranges within the infrared light spectrum, (ii) one or more steganographic images in which invisible-ink-printed patterns are interweaved within the steganographic images, (iii) visible-ink-printed patterns and invisible-ink-printed patterns printed substantially within the visible ink portions of the visible-ink-printed patterns, or (iv) other features, where the invisible-ink-printed patterns correspond to one or more authentication codes or other data for token authentication.

Systems and methods for cash verification and remote deposit are provided. A method may include receiving credentials to authenticate a login to a mobile app that is associated with a first financial entity; receiving an instruction to deposit a bill of cash at a physical location associated with a second financial entity that is different from the first financial entity; illuminating a front face of the bill; capturing an image of the illuminated front face; illuminating a back face of the bill; capturing an image of the illuminated back face; extracting a first tier of features from the images; determining a denomination and/or version of the bill; when the denomination and/or version exceeds a predetermined first threshold, extracting a second tier of features; when all of the extracted features are associated with the same denomination and/or version, and all of the features that are associated with said denomination and/or version are detected, verifying the bill; and when the bill is verified and a message is received, from the second financial entity, confirming that the second financial entity received the bill, depositing an amount corresponding to the denomination in an account at the first financial entity.