A laser marking system comprises a laser energy source that generates a laser beam, a laser controller configured to focus the laser beam over a field of view greater than a size of laser-markable items, and a start-up target that includes laser-safe material and is located within the field of view. The laser controller is further configured to point the laser beam at the start-up target during a start-up phase of the laser energy source and focus the laser beam on one of the laser-markable items after the start-up phase.

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.

A bending system for separating a page from a cover of a value document, wherein the page is connected to a spine of the cover, the spine separating the cover in first and second cover portions, wherein an angle γ is formed between the first and second cover portions. The bending system includes a bending unit connected to a motor, wherein the motor is configured to operate the bending unit such that the bending unit bends the value document to a first state, where γ is larger than 180°, and then back to a second state, where γ is at least 180° but less than γ in the first state, to separate the page from the cover. Also disclosed is an engraving system for engraving a front side and backside of a page of the value document and a document manufacturing device including the bending system and engraving system.

Methods for designing and producing a security feature are provided. In general, the present disclosure provides methods of designing a printed image in a security feature, the security feature comprising an array of optical elements overlaying the printed image, wherein the printed image comprises a two dimensional matrix of rows and columns of pixels, the method comprising; correcting for a mismatch between the pixels of the printed image and the array of optical elements by doing one or more of: adding one or more pixels; removing one or more pixels; and moving one or more pixels.

Methods for designing and producing a security feature are provided. In general, the present disclosure provides methods of designing a printed image in a security feature, the security feature comprising an array of optical elements overlaying the printed image, wherein the printed image comprises a two dimensional matrix of rows and columns of pixels, the method comprising; correcting for a mismatch between the pixels of the printed image and the array of optical elements by doing one or more of: adding one or more pixels; removing one or more pixels; and moving one or more pixels.

A hybrid document includes a document having visible markings, one or more light-controlling elements embedded in or on the document, and a controller including a circuit having a non-volatile memory. The controller is embedded in or on the document and electrically connected to the one or more light-controlling elements for controlling the one or more light-controlling elements. A power input connection is electrically connected to any one or all of the controller, the circuit, the memory, or the one or more light-emitting elements. The memory stores a state and the circuit causes the one or more light-controlling elements to indicate the state. A hybrid document validation machine is adapted to accept one or more of the hybrid documents, change the state of the hybrid documents, and optionally display the state on a display.

A multiple ply printed product and a method of producing it are described. The method comprises providing a substrate layer having a first surface supporting at least one wireless communication chip and a second surface, reverse to the first surface. A first paper stock having a first surface and a second surface is also provided. A first bonding operation is performed to substantially bond together the first surface of the substrate layer and the second surface of the first paper stock, to sandwich the wireless communication chip between the first paper stock and the substrate layer; providing a second paper stock having a first surface and a second surface. At least one of the first surface of the first paper stock and the second surface of the second paper stock may be printed on. A second bonding operation is performed to bond together the first surface of the second paper stock and the second surface of the substrate layer, to form a multiple ply printed product where the first surface of the substrate layer supports a plurality of wireless communication chips and the multiple ply printed product is a sheet on which is printed a plurality of business cards, each business card corresponding to a respective wireless communication chip.

The present invention provides a card which may be issued smoothly. The member card 2 comprises the base material layer 21 having the light transmittable base material and the printing layer 22, and wherein the first information 2201 to be confirmed from the first surface 21a of the base material layer 21 and the second information 2202 to be confirmed from the second surface 21b of the base material layer 21 are only printed on one surface of the base material layer 21. In the base material layer 21, the region which is printed with the second information 2202 is light transmittable region, and the second information 2202 may be visually recognized from the second surface 21b of the base material layer 21.

A hybrid currency banknote includes a banknote having visible markings. One or more light-controlling elements and a controller are embedded in or on the banknote. The controller is electrically connected to the one or more light-controlling elements to control the one or more light-controlling elements. A power input connection is electrically connected to the controller, or one or more light-controlling elements, or both. A power source can be connected to the power input connection, for example a piezoelectric or photovoltaic power source. In response to applied power, the controller causes the one or more light-controlling elements to emit light. A value can be stored in a memory in the controller and displayed by the light-controlling elements. The value can be assigned or varied by a hybrid currency teller machine.