The invention relates to an anti-copy optical element comprising a caustic layer and a mask layer configured to simultaneously display a visible image reproducing a reference image and form a projected image containing a visible caustic pattern reproducing a reference pattern, upon illumination of the optical element with a light source, the projected image being distinct from the reference image. The invention also relates to a method for designing a relief pattern of a light-redirecting surface of said caustic layer consistently with the transmission properties of the mask layer.

The invention relates to an anti-copy optical element comprising a caustic layer and a mask layer configured to simultaneously display a visible image reproducing a reference image and form a projected image containing a visible caustic pattern reproducing a reference pattern, upon illumination of the optical element with a light source, the projected image being distinct from the reference image. The invention also relates to a method for designing a relief pattern of a light-redirecting surface of said caustic layer consistently with the transmission properties of the mask layer.

A print feedstock has a base material and a marker material, the base material and the marker material having different physical properties. A system to validate objects includes at least one printer to print feedstock onto an object, the feedstock comprising a base material and a marker material, the base material and a marker material having different properties, a device to create a unique identifier for the object based upon a pattern of the feedstock, and a store in which the unique identifier can be stored.

A print feedstock has a base material and a marker material, the base material and the marker material having different physical properties. A system to validate objects includes at least one printer to print feedstock onto an object, the feedstock comprising a base material and a marker material, the base material and a marker material having different properties, a device to create a unique identifier for the object based upon a pattern of the feedstock, and a store in which the unique identifier can be stored.

A card manufacturing system includes a locating device and a separation device. A laminate sheet comprising a plurality of cards is received by the locating device and is imaged using first and second imaging modalities. The first imaging modality identifies a location of each of the plurality of information carrying cards within the laminate sheet and the second imaging modality images at least one graphic formed on a surface of the laminate sheet. A position of the at least one graphic with respect to at least one information carrying card is determined and the plurality of cards are removed from the laminate sheet using information corresponding to the location of each of the plurality of information carrying cards when the position of the at least one graphic with respect to the information carrying cards is within a predetermined range.

A card manufacturing system includes a locating device and a separation device. A laminate sheet comprising a plurality of cards is received by the locating device and is imaged using first and second imaging modalities. The first imaging modality identifies a location of each of the plurality of information carrying cards within the laminate sheet and the second imaging modality images at least one graphic formed on a surface of the laminate sheet. A position of the at least one graphic with respect to at least one information carrying card is determined and the plurality of cards are removed from the laminate sheet using information corresponding to the location of each of the plurality of information carrying cards when the position of the at least one graphic with respect to the information carrying cards is within a predetermined range.

Examples are directed toward anticounterfeit markings printed on a substrate. A method includes determining with a microprocessor running computer executable code non-transitorily stored on tangible computer readable media that: a first microprinting appears on a front side of the substrate as front side markings of first portions of a plurality of characters having dimensions in a micrometer range when viewed from the front side with reflected light, a second microprinting appears on a back side of the substrate as back side markings of second portions of the plurality of characters having dimensions in the micrometer range when viewed from the back side with reflected light, and the first microprinting and the second microprinting in combination appear as microprinting of whole characters of the plurality of characters when viewed with transmitted light.

Examples are directed toward anticounterfeit markings printed on a substrate. A method includes determining with a microprocessor running computer executable code non-transitorily stored on tangible computer readable media that: a first microprinting appears on a front side of the substrate as front side markings of first portions of a plurality of characters having dimensions in a micrometer range when viewed from the front side with reflected light, a second microprinting appears on a back side of the substrate as back side markings of second portions of the plurality of characters having dimensions in the micrometer range when viewed from the back side with reflected light, and the first microprinting and the second microprinting in combination appear as microprinting of whole characters of the plurality of characters when viewed with transmitted light.

The invention relates to a marking composition, by means of which better protection of goods than hitherto available can be achieved independently of the coloring of the goods. The marking composition comprises an infrared-absorbing particulate component and carbon derivative, wherein the weight ratio of infrared-absorbing component to carbon derivative is in the range of approx. 10:1 to approx. 10,000:1.

The invention relates to a marking composition, by means of which better protection of goods than hitherto available can be achieved independently of the coloring of the goods. The marking composition comprises an infrared-absorbing particulate component and carbon derivative, wherein the weight ratio of infrared-absorbing component to carbon derivative is in the range of approx. 10:1 to approx. 10,000:1.