US4009892A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and product for preventing fraud in document identification
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1975-02-03
•
Granted: 1977-03-01
•
Expires: 1995-02-03
Abstract
Abstract A bank check includes a secret alphanumeric code designation known only to the correct payee which is covered with a light-impervious cover having a light-sensitive material micro-encapsulated in the surface adjacent to the surface of the bank check. The light-sensitive material is released in a predetermined pattern by pressure exerted against the combination of the cover and the check so that whenever the cover is removed, the light-sensitive material is exposed and the pattern becomes visible to thereby make premature removal detectible.
Inventors
- 👤 Eugene W. Nickerson, III
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 20:53
CPC Classifications
G; G07; G07D; G07D7/00; G07D7/004; G07D7/06; G07D7/12; B; B42; B42D; B42D25/00; B42D25/20; B42D25/29; G07D7/14; G07D7/20; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S283/00; Y10S283/901
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
147 words
A method for protecting a payment order or similar instruments against collection by unauthorized persons comprising the steps of placing on a portion of said payment order a secret code designation known only to the correct payee, covering said secret code designation with a light impervious cover having a light-sensitive material micro-encapsulated in the surface thereof adjacent to the surface of said payment order, said material becoming irreversibly developed upon exposure to light, and exerting pressure in a pattern on the combination of said cover and said payment order to cause the micro-encapsulated light-sensitive material to be released from said cover and to be adhered to the adjacent surface of said payment order in the localized areas of the pattern of pressure so that whenever said cover is removed to expose said light-sensitive material said pattern of pressure soon becomes visible to thereby make premature removal detectable.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
147 words
A method for protecting a payment order or similar instruments against collection by unauthorized persons comprising the steps of placing on a portion of said payment order a secret code designation known only to the correct payee, covering said secret code designation with a light impervious cover having a light-sensitive material micro-encapsulated in the surface thereof adjacent to the surface of said payment order, said material becoming irreversibly developed upon exposure to light, and exerting pressure in a pattern on the combination of said cover and said payment order to cause the micro-encapsulated light-sensitive material to be released from said cover and to be adhered to the adjacent surface of said payment order in the localized areas of the pattern of pressure so that whenever said cover is removed to expose said light-sensitive material said pattern of pressure soon becomes visible to thereby make premature removal detectable.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method as claimed in claim 1 wherein said payment order is a bank check.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method as claimed in claim 1 wherein said payment order is a machine-readable punched card.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
50 words
The method as claimed in claim 3 wherein the portion of said payment order containing the secret code designation is a perforated stub which can be removed after the step of original collection by the original payee in order to promote ease of subsequent machine processing of the payment order.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
56 words
A method as claimed in claim 1 wherein said secret code designation is affixed to the payment order by means of a printing material which is visible only in ultra-violet light and said micro-encapsulated light-sensitive material is highly reactive to ultra-violet light so as to become visible in ordinary light rapidly after exposure to ultra-violet light.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
141 words
A payment order document in the form of a machine-readable punched card including a detachable end-stub portion, a secret code designation printed on the front face of said end-stub portion, a cover means which is substantially light impervious covering both sides of said end-stub portion, at least the portion of said cover means covering said front face of said end-stub portion including micro-encapsulated light-sensitive material in the surface thereof adjacent to said front face of said end-stub portion, said material becoming irreversibly developed upon exposure to light, at least some of said micro-encapsulated light-sensitive material having been released and adhered to said face of said end-stub portion in a distinctive pattern by externally applied pressure after said cover means is in place so that said distinctive pattern becomes visible by exposure to light as soon as said cover means is removed.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
141 words
A payment order document in the form of a machine-readable punched card including a detachable end-stub portion, a secret code designation printed on the front face of said end-stub portion, a cover means which is substantially light impervious covering both sides of said end-stub portion, at least the portion of said cover means covering said front face of said end-stub portion including micro-encapsulated light-sensitive material in the surface thereof adjacent to said front face of said end-stub portion, said material becoming irreversibly developed upon exposure to light, at least some of said micro-encapsulated light-sensitive material having been released and adhered to said face of said end-stub portion in a distinctive pattern by externally applied pressure after said cover means is in place so that said distinctive pattern becomes visible by exposure to light as soon as said cover means is removed.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
22 words
A payment order document as claimed in claim 6 wherein said microencapsulated light-sensitive material is comprised of a light-sensitive silver halide material.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
14 words
A document as claimed in claim 7 wherein said silver halide is silver bromide.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
18 words
A document as claimed in claim 6 wherein said cover means comprises an envelope completely enclosing said document.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
28 words
A document as claimed in claim 6 wherein said cover means comprises a strip of sheet material having the edges thereof securely adherent to said end stub portion.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
23 words
A document as claimed in claim 10 wherein said edges of said strip are adhered to said end stub portion by mechanical embossing.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
23 words
A document as claimed in claim 10 wherein said edges of said cover strip are adhered to said end-stub portion by an adhesive.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
22 words
A document as claimed in claim 10 wherein said cover means is comprised of a polymeric organic resin including an opaque material.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1980-02-29 | 1980-08-30 | 1981-03-01 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1984-02-29 | 1984-08-30 | 1985-03-01 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1988-02-29 | 1988-08-30 | 1989-03-01 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |