US4660859A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Process for incorporating a novel nuclear signature on currency which permits easy authentication at a later date
Assignee: Materials Research Corp
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Filing: 1985-06-17
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Granted: 1987-04-28
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Expires: 2005-06-17
Abstract
Abstract A new process for marking currency to permit easy and positive authentication at a later date comprising exposing a small region of the currency to bombardment by high energy neutrons for a short period, treating the exposed small region with a chemical reagent which reacts with the treated area to form tiny holes which can later be used for authentication. Also provide is a method for authentication which comprises exposing the marked currency to monochromatic X-rays, allowing the transmitted beam to impinge upon a fluorescent screen which will show shiny dots where the beam has reached the screen, said dots corresponding to the tiny holes in the marked currency.
Inventors
- 👤 Ram Natesh
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 18:47
CPC Classifications
G; G07; G07F; G07F7/00; G07F7/08; G07F7/086; B; B42; B42D; B42D25/00; B42D25/20; B42D25/29; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S283/00; Y10S283/901; Y10S283/904
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
75 words
A process for marking currency to permit easy authentication at a later date which comprises irradiating a region of the currency by exposing the said region to bombardment by high energy neutrons to effect a high state of excitation in the atoms of the exposed region, and treating the exposed region with a chemical reagent which reacts with the excited atoms and leaves tiny holes in the said exposed region which can later be authenticated.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
75 words
A process for marking currency to permit easy authentication at a later date which comprises irradiating a region of the currency by exposing the said region to bombardment by high energy neutrons to effect a high state of excitation in the atoms of the exposed region, and treating the exposed region with a chemical reagent which reacts with the excited atoms and leaves tiny holes in the said exposed region which can later be authenticated.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
14 words
A process as in claim 1 wherein the currency is United States paper currency.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
13 words
A process as in claim 1 wherein the currency is a metal coin.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
18 words
A process as in claim 1 wherein the region exposed is sufficient to form a 12 digit number.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
21 words
A process as in claim 1 wherein the tiny holes formed vary from about 100 A to 200 A in diameter.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
18 words
A process as in claim 1 wherein the radiation energy varies from about 300 eV to 500 MeV.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
27 words
A process as in claim 1 wherein the radiation is first accomplished on a thin mylar tape which is subsequently embedded in the currency during its manufacture.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
27 words
A process as in claim 1 wherein the chemical reagent is a dilute acid which reacts with the excited atoms to form holes in the exposed area.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
17 words
A process as in claim 1 wherein the time of irradiation is less than about 1 minute.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
114 words
A process for authenticating markings on currency which has been treated by irradiating a region of the currency by exposing the said region to bombardment by high energy neutrons to effect a high state of excitation in the atoms of the exposed region, and treating the exposed region with a chemical reagent which reacts with the excited atoms and leaves tiny holes in the said exposed region, the process of authenticating comprising exposing the treated currency to a monochromatic X-ray source, allowing the transmitted beam to impinge upon a flourescent screen which will shown shiny dots where the beam has reached the screen, said dots corresponding to the tiny holes in the marked currency.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
114 words
A process for authenticating markings on currency which has been treated by irradiating a region of the currency by exposing the said region to bombardment by high energy neutrons to effect a high state of excitation in the atoms of the exposed region, and treating the exposed region with a chemical reagent which reacts with the excited atoms and leaves tiny holes in the said exposed region, the process of authenticating comprising exposing the treated currency to a monochromatic X-ray source, allowing the transmitted beam to impinge upon a flourescent screen which will shown shiny dots where the beam has reached the screen, said dots corresponding to the tiny holes in the marked currency.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
25 words
A process as in claim 10 wherein optical detection and computer interfacing are employed to permit rapid evaluation and compilation of results of the authentication.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
22 words
A process as in claim 10 wherein the X-rays have a wave length of the order of 50 A to 100 A.
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) | 1990-04-27 | 1990-10-27 | 1991-04-28 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1994-04-27 | 1994-10-27 | 1995-04-28 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1998-04-27 | 1998-10-27 | 1999-04-28 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |