A method for producing a security feature for a data medium, includes the steps of: providing a molding means having a molding structure of a representation of the security feature; introducing the representation into a substrate by impressing the molding structure; and arranging a light-diffractive or light-refractive structure on the substrate.

A multilayer laminate identification document including an outer layer having a contoured surface image formed therein via laser ablation. The contoured surface image has contours based on a digital monochrome image, and has a first appearance when viewed in reflected light at a first angle and a second, different appearance when viewed in reflected light at a second, different angle. The multilayer laminate identification document is formed by generating a second digital monochrome image with continuous pixel patterns from a first digital monochrome image, and irradiating the surface of the identification document with a laser using the second digital monochrome image as a guide to form a contoured surface image in the surface of the identification document.

Presented herein are layered systems, security devices formed from the layered systems and methods of manufacturing those layered systems and security devices. The security devices provide several effects including, but not limited to, (1) color-shifting effects that are observable as the points of view of the observant changes and (2) customizable micro-text formed in the security device by demetallization of a metallic layer provided on or within the security device. The method of manufacturing the security devices includes manufacturing a layered system that is used to form the security devices. As will be described in further detail herein, the method of manufacturing the layered system includes providing a substrate layer having a metallic layer, masking at least parts of that metallic layer with an opaque material to form masked metal areas and exposed metal areas, removing metal from the exposed metal areas to form de-met areas, covering the masked areas and the de-met areas with a liquid crystal material. The layered system that results from the method which includes these steps provides a color-shifting effect from the liquid crystal material and a micro-text effect from the contrast between the de-met areas and the masked metal areas. Security devices formed from the layered system can take various shapes, sizes and colors. Such security devices suitable for various applications including, but not limited to, uses for authenticating consumer products, security documents, identification documents, and various other high value or high security products. Alternatively, such security devices are also suitable for providing aesthetic properties. The resulting security devices comprise the layered system which comprises a substrate layer with a metallic layer having masked metal areas and de-met areas, and a liquid crystal layer.

A micro-optic security device with zonal color transitions includes a planar array of focusing elements, an image icon layer including a plurality of retaining structures, the plurality of retaining structures defining isolated volumes at a first depth within the image icon layer, a first zone of image icons, the first zone of image icons having a first predefined subset of the plurality of retaining structures, wherein the isolated volumes of retaining structures of the first predefined subset of the plurality of retaining structures contain cured pigmented material of a first color, and a second zone of image icons, the second zone of image icons including a second predefined subset of the plurality of retaining structures, wherein the isolated volumes of retaining structures of the second predefined subset of the plurality of retaining structures contain cured pigmented material of a second color, wherein the second color contrasts with the first color.

A transaction card having a first layer and a second layer, wherein the first layer is metal and the second layer is carbon.

A transaction card having a first layer and a second layer, wherein the first layer is metal and the second layer is carbon.

The present invention describes methods and apparatuses for creating superposition shape images by superposed base and revealing layers of lenslet gratings. The superposition shape images form a message recognizable by a human observer or by an image acquisition and computing device such as a smartphone. The superposition shape images may be created by different superposition techniques ranging from 1D moir, 2D moir and level-line moir superposition techniques to lenticular image and phase shift superposition techniques. Moir superposition techniques enable creating superposition shape images at different apparent depth levels. Applications comprise the protection of documents and valuable articles against counterfeits, the creation of eye-catching advertisements as well as the decoration of buildings and exhibitions.

A data carrier in card form includes a card body, which has a first card surface, a second card surface, and a peripheral border. The peripheral border connects the first card surface to the second card surface. The peripheral border also has a first border portion with at least one cutout, with at least one cutout being at least partially filled with a color material, in order in this way to provide a color effect for the first border portion. A method is provided for producing a data carrier in card form.

A secure multi-layered structure (14), for example, for a secure document, the secure multi-layered structure comprising a first layer (20) having a first aperture (25) opened in the first layer, a second layer (30) having a second aperture (35) opened in the second layer, and a third layer (40) having a third aperture (45) opened in the third layer, wherein each layer at least partially overlaps with the layer adjacent to it, at least a portion of the third layer being visible through the first aperture.

In a general aspect, unique unclonable physical identifiers are applied and used. A method of applying the unique marker can include receiving an object having a surface feature and forming a unique marker on the surface feature of the object. The unique marker includes a distribution of elements and conforms with a morphology of the surface feature. The method further includes extracting orientation information from the unique marker. The orientation information can indicate relative spatial orientations of the respective elements. The method additionally includes generating a unique code for the object based on the orientation information. The surface feature can be facets, surface patterns, textures, or other indentations of the object. The surface feature can include a region of the object that is susceptible to tampering.