This invention relates to documents, such as banknotes, which are produced and used in large numbers and which, for a given series, are identical one with another except for a unique multi-digit number upon each individual document, the number thus uniquely identifying that document within the series. According to the present invention, to render unauthorized reproduction of the document more difficult, on each document, at least two characters in the identifying number differ from each other (in addition to any differences in the letters or digits which they represent) in one or more visible characteristics. Thus the differing characters may have different heights or widths or be in different styles of type. Preferably, the identifying number appears twice on each document, in diagonally opposite corners, and preferably the variation of physical characteristics of the characters along the length of one of the numbers is reversed in direction in the other of the numbers.
To improve the security in data carriers, such as papers of value, bank notes, ID cards, etc., a numbering apparatus is proposed for individualizing the data carrier whereby the characters are engraved in the engraved blocks present on the numbering apparatus such that the serial number extends along a line having a curvature.
A print verification method and apparatus verifies the integrity of information printed on a document. The information to be verified is printed on a document in a first color. Desired information is printed on the document in a second color which is different from the first color. The desired information is printed directly above the information printed in the first color. It is detected whether any of the information printed in the first color is exposed following printing of the desired information in the second color. If any of the information printed in the first color is detected to be exposed, an indication is made that improper printing has occurred. If, however, no information printed in the first color is exposed following printing of the desired information in the second color, it is verified that proper printing has occurred.
A numbering system is disclosed for use on financial instruments which due to the unique shape and size of each number the financial instrument is secure from having the sums raised through the commonly used cut and paste technique.
An encoded label for a magnetic tape cartridge includes a substrate having an obverse side and a reverse side. The reverse side is adapted to be affixed to the magnetic tape cartridge, while the obverse side has pre-printed thereon at least two redundant indicators for identifying the magnetic tape cartridge to which the label is affixed. Each of the indicators include a plurality of characters, but the characters of one such indicator are scrambled with respect to the characters of the other indicator, thereby permitting accurate identification of the magnetic tape cartridge by an optical scanner in spite of the label's having a substantial portion missing or obliterated.
A numbered data carrier and method for producing the same, wherein the data carrier includes a document of value and at least one security element having a serial number that individualizes the data carrier out of a series of data carriers. The security element includes first and second parts. The first part of the security element partly represents the serial number and the second part of the security element represents the serial number either partly or completely. The security element is applied on the document.
