A hybrid currency banknote includes a banknote having visible markings. One or more light-controlling elements and a controller are embedded in or on the banknote. The controller is electrically connected to the one or more light-controlling elements to control the one or more light-controlling elements. A power input connection is electrically connected to the controller, or one or more light-controlling elements, or both. A power source can be connected to the power input connection, for example a piezoelectric or photovoltaic power source. In response to applied power, the controller causes the one or more light-controlling elements to emit light. A value can be stored in a memory in the controller and displayed by the light-controlling elements. The value can be assigned or varied by a hybrid currency teller machine.

The present invention discloses an optical anti-counterfeiting component and an optical anti-counterfeiting product. The optical anti-counterfeiting component comprises: a substrate; a sub-wavelength surface micro-structure and an optical reflection facet formed on an upper surface of the substrate; and a multi-layer structured coating formed on the sub-wavelength surface micro-structure and the optical reflection facet. In the case where the same multi-layer structured coating is used, a contrasting optical characteristic is formed between the region in which the sub-wavelength surface micro-structure and the multi-layer structured coating lie and the region in which the optical reflection facet and the multi-layer structured coating lie, so that the optical anti-counterfeiting component or the optical anti-counterfeiting product that includes the optical anti-counterfeiting component can be identified easily and has high anti-counterfeiting capability.

A device for personalizing security or identification objects including a laser processing station having a laser unit that personalizes an object located in a laser processing area. The laser processing station comprises a turntable with a first receiving area for receiving a first object and a second receiving area for receiving a second object. The turntable is mounted rotatably relative to the laser unit so that it can be rotated from a first rotational position into a second rotational position. In the first rotational position, the first object and in the second rotational position the second object are at least partially located in the laser processing area.

A device for personalizing security or identification objects including a laser processing station having a laser unit that personalizes an object located in a laser processing area. The laser processing station comprises a turntable with a first receiving area for receiving a first object and a second receiving area for receiving a second object. The turntable is mounted rotatably relative to the laser unit so that it can be rotated from a first rotational position into a second rotational position. In the first rotational position, the first object and in the second rotational position the second object are at least partially located in the laser processing area.

A method of manufacturing a document of a series identical documents in content except for a respective identifier which identifies each document within the series, each identifier having at least a first indicium, the or each indicium defining a boundary; the method having the steps of: providing a substrate; applying a first background print, defining part of the boundary of an indicium receiving area; applying the respective identifier on the substrate, such that the first indicium is provided in the indicium receiving area; the first background print and the respective identifier being applied such that when the document is viewed in at least one of transmission and reflection the juxtaposition of the first background print and the first indicium is such that a keyline extending around a portion of the boundary of the first indicium is defined between the first indicium and the boundary of the indicium receiving area.

A security device includes a plurality of diffractive surface elements arranged on a carrier element. Each individual diffractive surface element can have a three-dimensional surface structure. A portion of the plurality of the diffractive surface elements can form a first surface element group. An orientation of the diffractive surface elements in the first surface element group can be matched to each other wherein they make a first point of an associated symbol to be represented visible. A plurality of additional surface element groups each can make a respective additional point of the symbol to be represented visible. The symbol can include a sum of all points represented by the first surface element group and the plurality of additional surface element groups. A movement of the symbol can be perceived by the continuous change in an angle of incidence of the light or an observation angle.

A number of mechanisms can reduce transaction costs and increase the economic viability of a number of products. A combination instant lottery ticket and debit card makes it possible to issue prepaid debit cards having a relatively low monetary value. A combination on-line ticket or receipt and debit card can automate the prize paying process, simplifying the retailer's responsibilities while reducing the potential for fraud. Various cash flow and authentication techniques, such as age and location verification, nano payment methods and spam filters based on these mechanisms are also described. Instant lottery tickets, and in particular, losing tickets, can be provided with a small residual value by placing account information on the ticket. In another version, a lottery ticket can be combined with a payment card that operates as a closed payment system whereby the payment card can only be used with a specified vendor.

A number of mechanisms can reduce transaction costs and increase the economic viability of a number of products. A combination instant lottery ticket and debit card makes it possible to issue prepaid debit cards having a relatively low monetary value. A combination on-line ticket or receipt and debit card can automate the prize paying process, simplifying the retailer's responsibilities while reducing the potential for fraud. Various cash flow and authentication techniques, such as age and location verification, nano payment methods and spam filters based on these mechanisms are also described. Instant lottery tickets, and in particular, losing tickets, can be provided with a small residual value by placing account information on the ticket. In another version, a lottery ticket can be combined with a payment card that operates as a closed payment system whereby the payment card can only be used with a specified vendor.

A system for verifying the authenticity of a printed mark includes an image acquisition device that acquires an image of a printed mark. In one implementation, the printed mark includes an identifier that identifies the group or class of an item to which the printed mark is to be (or has been) attached. The system may also include one or more processors that carry out actions such as receiving the image from the image acquisition device; analyzing the image to identify artifacts in the printed mark, retrieving a genuine mark signature from a data storage containing genuine mark signatures, comparing the identified artifacts with the genuine mark signature, and determining whether the unverified item is authentic based on the comparison.

A display member according to this invention includes a plurality of pixels. At least one of the plurality of pixels includes a relief structure formation layer including a first region configured to display a predetermined color on a condition, and a second region different from the first region, a first layer made of a first material, and covering at least the first region, and a second layer made of a second material different from the first material, and covering the first layer. The display member displays an image based on a distribution of the first region on the condition that the display member is observed in the oblique direction, and displays an image based on a distribution of the second region on a condition that the display member is observed with transmitted light.