US4656473A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Secure card and sensing system
Assignee: Light Signatures Inc
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Filing: 1984-10-04
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Granted: 1987-04-07
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Expires: 2004-10-04
Abstract
Abstract An identification card is disclosed as for supporting commercial or other significant transactions involving a designated subject. The card incorporates a machine-readable record and is produced with an individual birefringent characteristic to modulate a light beam for card identification. In one embodiment, the card incorporates apparent stress waves to modulate an orientation-frequency characteristic (e.g. polarization angle) of a light beam. The machine-readable record on the card indicates the characteristic birefringence for confirming the card to be authentic. Methods are disclosed for producing and testing the cards. A system is disclosed for sensing card characteristics by modulated light including polarized light techniques to record and verify the cards with allowance for changes, as by card aging.
Inventors
- 👤 Robert N. Goldman
- 👤 David Gold
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 12:44
CPC Classifications
G; G07; G07F; G07F7/00; G07F7/08; G06; G06K; G06K19/00; G06K19/06; G06K19/08; G06K19/10; G06K19/14; G07F7/0806; G07F7/0813; G07F7/086; G07F7/12
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
88 words
A method of producing an authenticator device as to control or regulate transactions comprising the steps of: selecting a synthetic material susceptible to forming stress waves; forming a substantially flat sheet of said synthetic material to include random patterns of stress waves; impinging light on at least one selected area of said pattern in said sheet to provide modulated light data indicative of at least one fragment of said pattern; and recording the location of said fragment and said modulated light data to identify said sheet for verification.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
88 words
A method of producing an authenticator device as to control or regulate transactions comprising the steps of: selecting a synthetic material susceptible to forming stress waves; forming a substantially flat sheet of said synthetic material to include random patterns of stress waves; impinging light on at least one selected area of said pattern in said sheet to provide modulated light data indicative of at least one fragment of said pattern; and recording the location of said fragment and said modulated light data to identify said sheet for verification.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
24 words
A method according to claim 1 further comprising the step of recording an indication of said location and modulated light data on said sheet.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
30 words
A method according to claim 1 further comprising the step of applying a magnetic stripe to said sheet and recording an indication of said location and modulated light data thereon.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
19 words
A method according to claim 1 further comprising the step of embossing said sheet to identify an assigned designation.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
25 words
A method according to claim 1 further comprising the step of applying a paint-like substance on said sheet to define a space containing said fragment.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
41 words
A method of producing an authenticator device according to claim 1 wherein said fragment is sensed in plural dimensions to provide plural light indications and further including the step of ratioing said plural light indications together to provide said light data.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
98 words
A method of producing an authenticator device blank comprising the steps of: formulating a molten substance for solidfication, said substance having a property of defining stress waves in its solid form which waves alter an orientation-frequency property of impinging light; disposing said molten substance in a sheet form; imposing multiple disturbances on said sheet form to develop random variable stress waves; solidifying said sheet with said stress waves defining a random variable pattern; and light sensing said stress waves in a portion of said sheet to provide data to identify said portion of said sheet as an authenticator.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
98 words
A method of producing an authenticator device blank comprising the steps of: formulating a molten substance for solidfication, said substance having a property of defining stress waves in its solid form which waves alter an orientation-frequency property of impinging light; disposing said molten substance in a sheet form; imposing multiple disturbances on said sheet form to develop random variable stress waves; solidifying said sheet with said stress waves defining a random variable pattern; and light sensing said stress waves in a portion of said sheet to provide data to identify said portion of said sheet as an authenticator.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
15 words
A method according to claim 7 wherein said substance is embossable in its solid form.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method according to claim 7 wherein said step of imposing disturbances comprises randomly disposing reactive poarticles in said molten substance.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1990-04-06 | 1990-10-06 | 1991-04-07 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1994-04-06 | 1994-10-06 | 1995-04-07 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1998-04-06 | 1998-10-06 | 1999-04-07 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |