The present invention relates to a device for processing documents (document processing system (10)), in particular security documents. The document processing system (10) according to the invention comprises at least one document carrier device (12) with a document receptacle (121) configured to receive and transport a document (51) to be processed, and a document processing device configured to process the document (51) in a specific processing area (82), wherein the document carrier device (12) is configured to move the document (51) in two spatial directions.

A method of manufacturing an image element array includes: providing a production tool having a surface pattern of ink-receptive elements spaced by areas which are not, the ink-receptive elements defining the array image elements; applying a multi-colored first image formed of a inks to only the ink-receptive elements; and transferring only the portions of the multi-colored first image corresponding to the image elements from the production tool to a substrate. An image element array is formed on the substrate. The production tool surface pattern is configured such that when viewing and image element arrays overlap, each viewing element within an image element array first region directs light from a respective image element or from a respective gap. The viewing angle in the first region directs light from either the array or the gaps.

An asymmetric pigment including a first Fabry-Perot structure; and a second Fabry-Perot structure; wherein the first Fabry-Perot structure and the second Fabry-Perot structure have a similar hue angle within +/45 degrees is disclosed. Other asymmetric pigments are also disclosed as well as methods of making the disclosed pigments.

An anti-counterfeiting pattern having an optically variable structure, comprising lithographic lines and gravure blind embossed relief lines printed on a carrier. The lithographic lines are a set of lithographic curve lines having a curvature, the widths of the lithographic curve lines changing from thick to thin, or thin to thick. The gravure blind embossed relief lines are a set of curve lines corresponding to the lithographic lines, and having the same curvature. The relief lines are overprinted on the lithographic lines with a width variation identical to that of said lithographic lines. Accurate overprinting of the two printing types forms a curved relief structure wherein the width of the lines changes continuously. When a printed product is rotated and observed, a continuously variable optical effect will be seen, which is visual, readily to identify, anti-copying and difficult to forgery.

An original has a first pattern on and a second pattern, and the first pattern and the second pattern include relatively lighter markings within a relatively darker background. The relatively lighter markings appear at a first spacing interval in the first pattern, and at a larger second spacing interval in the second pattern. The first pattern and the second pattern cover and equally block a region of the original from reflecting ultraviolet light. A scanner is only capable of detecting patterns of markings having a spacing interval larger than the first spacing interval, which causes a copy of the original to not include the relatively lighter markings appearing at the first spacing interval. Thus, the copy lacks markings at locations corresponding to where the relatively lighter markings appear at the first spacing interval in the original. The copy reflects the ultraviolet light more where the copy lacks markings.

A security element including substrate on which is disposed: in first area, a first optically variable device including a diffractive or reflective relief structure and reflection enhancing material following contours of relief structure; and, in second area, a second optically variable device including an iridescent amplitude interference material. First optically variable device is constituted by a plurality of sub-areas arranged in cyclically repeating sequence along predetermined direction of the security element, the plurality of sub-areas collectively forming first area. Relief parameters of diffractive or reflective relief structure vary from one sub-area to next within each repeat cycle whereby, at any viewing angle, each sub-area within any repeat cycle exhibits different diffractive color or reflected intensity from those of other sub-areas within same repeat cycle, so, when device is tilted, different diffractive colors or reflected intensities appear to move from one sub-area to next within each repeat cycle along predetermined direction.

The present invention relates to complex security elements based on liquid crystal coatings which are subsequently coated with specific metallic nano-shaped metal particles, a method for their manufacture, in particular on a glass, paper or on a plastic substrate and a security product obtainable using the security element. The security element may contain additionally an embossed surface relief microstructure, especially an optically variable image (an optically variable device, OVD), such as a hologram. A further aspect of the invention is the use of such a security element for the prevention of counterfeit or reproduction of a document of value.

Disclosed is a process for producing, under a lenticular grating, in an etching zone, by laser etching, using a tool, a first image and at least one second image that may be selectively viewed by varying angle of observation, the tool including a laser, a galvanometric head and a lens, and defining an optical axis and a working zone and the process including the following steps: placing the etching zone in a first location included in the working zone and on the periphery of the working zone, and, perpendicularly to the optical axis, etching the first image; and then placing the etching zone in a second location, which is different from the first location, included in the working zone and on the periphery of the working zone, and, perpendicularly to the optical axis, etching the second image.

A method of producing a transparent polychromatic printed iridescent image (8) of any kind in which at least two colors change simultaneously when there is a change in the viewing angle of the image under illumination by at least one visible light source.

This disclosure relates to counterfeit detection and deterrence using advanced signal processing technology including steganographic embedding and digital watermarking. Digital watermark can be used on consumer products, labels, logos, hang tags, stickers and other objects to provide counterfeit detection mechanisms.