A security device comprises a transparent, colored element in a first region of the device and in a surface of which a first optically variable effect generating relief structure is formed. A reflection enhancing layer extends over the first optically variable effect generating relief microstructure and follows the contour of the relief, the reflection enhancing layer also being provided in a second region of the device laterally offset from the first region.

A security device comprises a transparent, colored element in a first region of the device and in a surface of which a first optically variable effect generating relief structure is formed. A reflection enhancing layer extends over the first optically variable effect generating relief microstructure and follows the contour of the relief, the reflection enhancing layer also being provided in a second region of the device laterally offset from the first region.

A secure article including a revelation screen and a combined image, or a set comprising a secure article and another object. The secure article including one of the revelation screen and the combined image and the object comprising or making up the other of the revelation screen and the combined image. The combined image including a plurality of overlapping images. The combined image including a periodic alternation of overlapping image elements in a first direction. The revelation screen including a masking screen element alternating periodically with a non-masking screen element in a second direction. The size of the non-masking screen elements in the second direction is greater than the size, in the first direction, of at least one element of overlapping images, the revelation screen making it possible to observe various revealed images by moving the revelation screen in relation to the combined image and/or by changing the observation angle.

A security feature, which is made up of a security device that is coupled to machine detectable indicia, is provided. The security feature may be used with a banknote, with the security feature serving to authenticate the banknote. Harvesting the security device will disturb the machine readable effect or signal generated by the machine detectable indicia, thereby allowing detection of the harvesting.

The present invention relates to an optically variable surface pattern having a substrate that comprises a first and a second surface region, the two surface regions being developed in such a way that the first surface region presents, in a first viewing angle range (1) a bulged-appearing first depiction, and the second surface region presents, in a second viewing angle range (2) that is different from the first viewing angle range (1), a bulged-appearing second depiction.

The present invention relates to an optically variable surface pattern having a substrate that comprises a first and a second surface region, the two surface regions being developed in such a way that the first surface region presents, in a first viewing angle range (1) a bulged-appearing first depiction, and the second surface region presents, in a second viewing angle range (2) that is different from the first viewing angle range (1), a bulged-appearing second depiction.

In some implementations, a system is capable of generating identifications that include distinctive line patterns corresponding to different portions of secure customer information. Data indicating an input image, and a dithering matrix representing a two-dimensional array of pixel values is obtained. Pixel values of pixels included in the input image are transformed using the dithering matrix. For each pixel within the input image, the transformation includes identifying a particular pixel value within the dithering matrix that represents a particular pixel within the input image, and adjusting an intensity value of the particular pixel based on attributes of the dithering matrix. A transformed image is generated based on the transformation and then provided for output.

A method for producing security elements, security elements, a security document with at least one security element as well as a transfer film with at least one security element wherein a three-dimensional object is recorded and a surface profile of the three-dimensional object, described by a function F(x,y), is determined, wherein the function F(x,y) describes the distance between the surface profile and a two-dimensional reference surface spanned by co-ordinate axes x and y at the co-ordinate points x and y. A first microstructure is determined in such a way that the structure height of the first microstructure is limited to a predetermined value smaller than the maximum distance between the surface profile and the two-dimensional reference surface, and the first microstructure provides an observer with a first optical perception which corresponds to the surface profile of the three-dimensional object described by the function F(x,y).

A method for authenticating a tag, includes: a step (205) of capturing an image, with a communicating mobile terminal, of at least a portion of a tag having at least a portion of an identifier; a step (210) of transmitting the identifier to a server; a step (215) of reading, from a memory of tag images, the image of a tag having the identifier; a step (220) of transmitting, to the communicating mobile terminal, at least a portion of the image read from the memory; and a step (230) of displaying at least a portion of the transmitted image superimposed on an image captured by the terminal.

A forgery and falsification prevention device includes: a variable material containing unit that contains a variable material in which reflected light or transmitted light is changed in response to an application of a display stimulus; and an operation unit that performs a function of changing a display state of the variable material when an external stimulus is applied, by changing light reflection characteristics or light transmission characteristics of the variable material or changing the display stimulus which is applied to the variable material.