An image processing device includes circuitry. The circuitry is configured to process a background image into which a latent image is embedded, to obtain an effect to conceal the latent image. The circuitry is configured to perform color conversion of the background image to obtain a color-matching masking effect to conceal the latent image. The circuitry is configured to embed the latent image in the background image processed and converted, to generate an image embedded with the latent image.

A liquid composition that is an aqueous liquid composition that emits light when irradiated with ultraviolet light contains a resin particle, the resin particle containing a unit that has a polar group and containing a complex composed of a sulfur-bridged calixarene and a lanthanoid ion, the polar group being at least one selected from the group consisting of an ester group, a carboxy group, a hydroxy group, an ether group, an amino group, an amide group and a cyano group.

In a sensor ink for the quantitative detection of components in a closed package, comprising at least one fluorophore, a polymeric carrier matrix and at least one organic solvent, a silicon-organic system or a homopolymer or copolymer selected from the group of polystyrenes, polysulfones, polyether imides, polyether sulfones, polyvinylchloride (PVC), polyphenylene oxide (PPO), polysulfone derivatives, polyethylene terephthalate, biobased polymers, polylactic acid, cellulose ester and cellulose ether with a molecular weight of between 80,000 and 300,000, is contained as the carrier matrix, and the fluorophore is present in an amount of 1.5 wt. % to 7 wt. %, based on the polymer concentration, wherein the carrier matrix and the fluorophore together with the organic solvent form a solution having a viscosity of between 20 and 70 mPa.Math.s, and a method for producing a quantitative fluorescence sensor, and a sensor.

A method for forming a volume hologram film having security elements which are formed as a transfer section of the volume hologram film is described, wherein the volume hologram film has n volume hologram layers arranged one over another. The production of the volume hologram film is carried out in a roll-to-roll method with the following method steps: a) providing a carrier film from a supply roll; b) applying an i-th photopolymer layer to the carrier film; c) forming an i-th volume hologram in the photopolymer layer; d) forming an i-th volume hologram layer by curing the i-th photopolymer layer; e) repeating process steps b) to e) n1 times; f) applying an adhesive layer to the background layer; g) winding the volume hologram film onto a take-up roll.

According to one example, there is provided a visual security feature. The visual security feature comprises a security feature printed on a media. The security feature includes a security code printed on the media, and a holographic image is embossed on the printed security feature.

A security device is disclosed, comprising: a first ink (21) and a second ink (22) each arranged in respective laterally offset first and second regions of the security device, the first and second inks each comprising a respective luminescent material which both luminesce in response to irradiation at at least one excitation wavelength in the ultra-violet spectrum, the first and second inks each exhibiting substantially the same non-luminescent visible colour as one another when illuminated with visible light in the absence of the at least one excitation wavelength, and the first and second inks each exhibiting visible colours which are different from the non-luminescent visible colour and from one another when illuminated with a combination of visible light and the at least one excitation wavelength; a third ink (23) arranged in a third region of the device laterally offset from the first and second regions of the device, the third ink not luminescing in response to the at least one excitation wavelength, and the third ink exhibiting substantially the same non-luminescent visible colour as the first and second inks when illuminated with visible light in the absence of the at least one excitation wavelength; and a fourth ink (24) arranged in a masking pattern which partially overlaps one or more portions of the first ink in the first region and/or of the second ink in the second region, the fourth ink not luminescing in response to the at least one excitation wavelength, and the fourth ink exhibiting a different visible colour from the non-luminescent visible colour of the first, second and third inks when illuminated with visible light in the absence of the at least one excitation wavelength. When the security device is illuminated with visible light in the absence of the at least one excitation wavelength, the first, second and third regions together appear as one continuous pattern in the non-luminescent visible colour, the fourth ink obscuring the presence of more than one ink forming the continuous pattern, and when the security device is illuminated with a combination of visible light and the at least one excitation wavelength, the first and second regions become visibly distinct from each other and from the remainder of the continuous pattern.

Disclosed is a device and process for marking and detecting labels with spectral band authentication features utilizing a reader that can be affixed to a smart phone and positioned so as to align the lens of the phone's camera with a reader aperture. The reader aperture allows the camera to view an item through a spacer, wherein a UV and IR light source is used to reveal indicia within invisible ink. The light source employs a distinct emission spectrum characterized by narrow peaks and gaps which can illuminate pigment of the invisible ink that is selectively responsive at the wavelengths of specific peaks and/or unresponsive at the gaps in the spectrum. The smart phone captures the indicia revealed and interfaces with a cloud-based database to provide verification of authenticity.

A system for marking products to indicate compliance with the requirements of various agencies and organizations such as UL. Markings are applied to products with indicia that is selectively visible. The indicia may be formed with an ink that is visible only outside of the visible light spectrum. The markings can be discerned at any time by rendering the markings visible. Visibility may be achieved by exposing the marking to ultraviolet light, for example. When the light is extinguished, the markings are no longer perceptible.

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 encrypted marker may include a DNA taggant.

A method of illumating an item is disclosed. The method includes applying adhesive to the item, interspersing a taggant in the adhesive, illuminating the item with an excitation signal, sensing luminescence emitted by the taggant in response to illumination by the excitation signal, and determining the authenticity of the item based on the sensed emitted luminescence. The item can include any item benefited by authentication, and can include a postage stamp. A method of customizing an item is disclosed. This can include the steps of preparing a substrate, applying a security feature to the substrate, printing non-customized information on the substrate, receiving image information, and printing the image information on the substrate.