Smart banknotes incorporating permanent data transmission and reception elements to enable the storage of encrypted and unencrypted data that can be accessed at medium distances using electronic equipment, thereby enabling the definition/description of the banknote, the registration thereof, the central bank serial number and history, and other security data of interest, enabling security and control plans. The banknotes help people with visual impairments to identify banknotes and the value thereof, fostering greater social inclusion and independence when handling cash, and will be very useful for recognizing different types of banknotes, including in all countries that adopt the system. The banknotes may be used with everyday equipment on the market such as gadgets, and also drawers, counters, ATMs, and the like. Since they can provide audio and/or visual information, it is of greater use and efficiency in comparison to any existing product, and therefore has broad market applicability and social utility.

A security document (200) includes a secure substrate (205). The secure substrate includes a viewing side (209) and a backing side (211), and a micro-optic system (305, 321) providing an optically variable effect (OVE) (513) on the viewing side. The security document further includes a protective layer (225), and a mask layer (215) disposed between the protective layer and the backing side of the secure substrate.

A security document (200) includes a secure substrate (205). The secure substrate includes a viewing side (209) and a backing side (211), and a micro-optic system (305, 321) providing an optically variable effect (OVE) (513) on the viewing side. The security document further includes a protective layer (225), and a mask layer (215) disposed between the protective layer and the backing side of the secure substrate.

Techniques are described in which articles (e.g., security documents, traffic signage and personal protective equipment) are formed to include an infrared absorptive material. In some instances, the infrared absorptive material includes a reduced tungsten oxide, such as cesium tungsten oxide, calcium tungsten oxide, potassium tungsten oxide, or the like, and exposed to radiation such that one or more regions of the security document has a modified appearance, thereby providing a visual marking or information on the article. Example articles include at least one layer including a polymer and an infrared absorptive material including a reduced tungsten oxide. The layer includes a radiation-treated region that exhibits a first appearance under visible light and at least one non-radiation-treated region that exhibits a second, different appearance under visible light. The at least one radiation-treated region may be formed by exposing the at least one radiation-treated region to infrared light to change at least one property of the reduced tungsten oxide in the radiation-treated region compared to the reduced tungsten oxide in the non-radiation-treated region. The first appearance may be whiter than the second appearance.

Techniques are described in which articles (e.g., security documents, traffic signage and personal protective equipment) are formed to include an infrared absorptive material. In some instances, the infrared absorptive material includes a reduced tungsten oxide, such as cesium tungsten oxide, calcium tungsten oxide, potassium tungsten oxide, or the like, and exposed to radiation such that one or more regions of the security document has a modified appearance, thereby providing a visual marking or information on the article. Example articles include at least one layer including a polymer and an infrared absorptive material including a reduced tungsten oxide. The layer includes a radiation-treated region that exhibits a first appearance under visible light and at least one non-radiation-treated region that exhibits a second, different appearance under visible light. The at least one radiation-treated region may be formed by exposing the at least one radiation-treated region to infrared light to change at least one property of the reduced tungsten oxide in the radiation-treated region compared to the reduced tungsten oxide in the non-radiation-treated region. The first appearance may be whiter than the second appearance.

A method for manufacturing a value document includes: providing a value document substrate; printing the value document substrate with magnetically orientable effect pigments which are dispersed in a UV-curable lacquer; the step of exposing the lacquer containing the magnetically orientable effect pigments to a dynamic magnetic field; the step of irradiating the lacquer containing the effect pigments with UV radiation; and optionally the step of embossing the cured or at least partially cured UV lacquer.

A method for manufacturing a value document includes: providing a value document substrate; printing the value document substrate with magnetically orientable effect pigments which are dispersed in a UV-curable lacquer; the step of exposing the lacquer containing the magnetically orientable effect pigments to a dynamic magnetic field; the step of irradiating the lacquer containing the effect pigments with UV radiation; and optionally the step of embossing the cured or at least partially cured UV lacquer.

An optical effect device (300) comprising: a substrate (302) having a first surface (304) and a second surface (306); a plurality of structures (308) arranged on the first surface (304), each structure (308) having a first facet (310) and a second facet (314), the first facet (310) of each structure (308) being substantially parallel to the first surface (304) of the substrate (302), the second facet (314) of each structure (308) defining a slope with respect to the first surface (304), and the first facets (310) of the plurality of structures (308) forming a first facet set. The first facet set defines a first optical effect when the optical effect device (300) is viewed from a first viewing angle range

An optical effect device (300) comprising: a substrate (302) having a first surface (304) and a second surface (306); a plurality of structures (308) arranged on the first surface (304), each structure (308) having a first facet (310) and a second facet (314), the first facet (310) of each structure (308) being substantially parallel to the first surface (304) of the substrate (302), the second facet (314) of each structure (308) defining a slope with respect to the first surface (304), and the first facets (310) of the plurality of structures (308) forming a first facet set. The first facet set defines a first optical effect when the optical effect device (300) is viewed from a first viewing angle range

A flat security element with optical security features includes at least one first surface region with a first sub-wavelength structure. The structure elements that define the first sub-wavelength structure periodically repeat in the plane of the security element. In order to be able to convey a motif with increased forgery protection using at least two different color impressions, which motif is easy to produce, the first sub-wavelength structure of at least one partial region of the first surface region is additionally provided with an interference coating for producing a color-shifting effect.