US4675669A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
System of issuing secure documents of various denomination
Assignee: Light Signatures Inc
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Filing: 1985-07-11
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Granted: 1987-06-23
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Expires: 2005-07-11
Abstract
Abstract A system of issuing secure docments involving stages that may be substantially distinct both in time and space. A raw document is selected possessing a uniqueness characteristic which is sensed and coded on the document. Subsequently, the document is completed as with an individual designation of value, by providing a bar code in the area of the uniqueness characteristic which is related to an Arabic numeral designation. Apparatus processes such documents for creation and verification based on selective testing of the uniqueness characteristic and the designations.
Inventors
- 👤 Robert N. Goldman
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 16:27
CPC Classifications
G; G07; G07F; G07F7/00; G07F7/08; G07F7/086; G06; G06K; G06K17/00; G06K19/00; G06K19/06; G06K19/08; G06K19/10; G07D; G07D7/00; G07D7/004; G07D7/0043; G07D7/0047
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
115 words
A method of issuing secure documents with specific designations, as related to value, comprising the steps of: selecting a sheet for a raw document having a uniqueness characteristic in at least a specific area sensitive to change, as by erasure; sensing said uniqueness characteristic at said specific area in the form of data; recording indicia on said raw document for indicating said uniqueness characteristic as sensed; printing blocking code designations on said raw document to indicate a specific value therefor, said designations being located within said specific area such as to leave portions of said area unaltered for sensing to authenticate the document; and printing value designations on said raw document indicating said specific value.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
115 words
A method of issuing secure documents with specific designations, as related to value, comprising the steps of: selecting a sheet for a raw document having a uniqueness characteristic in at least a specific area sensitive to change, as by erasure; sensing said uniqueness characteristic at said specific area in the form of data; recording indicia on said raw document for indicating said uniqueness characteristic as sensed; printing blocking code designations on said raw document to indicate a specific value therefor, said designations being located within said specific area such as to leave portions of said area unaltered for sensing to authenticate the document; and printing value designations on said raw document indicating said specific value.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
35 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein said step of printing code designations on said raw document designates at least one portion of said specific area to be invalid in the authentication of the document.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
36 words
A method according to claim 2 further including the step of selectively testing portions of said specific area not designated to be invalid against a record of said uniqueness characteristic as indicated by said recorded indicia.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
17 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein said sheet is selected to have an inherent uniqueness characteristic.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
15 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein said sensing comprises passing light through said sheet.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
31 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein said step of printing code designations comprises indexing said area to define distinct digit areas and printing said code designations in select digit areas.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
113 words
A system for processing secure documents with specific designations as related to value, such documents having an anticounterfeit uniqueness characteristic, the system comprising: means for indexing an area of said card having said uniqueness characteristic to define an array of pixel locations in said area, and further to define said pixel locations in groups; means for receiving reference signals representative of said uniqueness characteristic at said pixel locations; means for sensing said pixel locations to provide sensed signals representative of said uniqueness characteristic and blocking indicia for any of said groups; and means for selectively testing said reference signals against said sensed signals excluding any of said groups indicated to contain blocking indicia.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
113 words
A system for processing secure documents with specific designations as related to value, such documents having an anticounterfeit uniqueness characteristic, the system comprising: means for indexing an area of said card having said uniqueness characteristic to define an array of pixel locations in said area, and further to define said pixel locations in groups; means for receiving reference signals representative of said uniqueness characteristic at said pixel locations; means for sensing said pixel locations to provide sensed signals representative of said uniqueness characteristic and blocking indicia for any of said groups; and means for selectively testing said reference signals against said sensed signals excluding any of said groups indicated to contain blocking indicia.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
25 words
A system according to claim 7 wherein said documents carry blocking indicia, said system further including means for sensing said blocking indicia to manifest values.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
40 words
A system according to claim 8 wherein said documents carry machine-readable value designations, said system further including means for reading said value designations and means for comparing signals representative of said value designations with signals representative of said blocking indicia.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
20 words
A system according to claim 7 wherein said means for sensing comprises means for sensing the translucency of said documents.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
14 words
A system according to claim 7 wherein said means for indexing includes clocking means.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
24 words
A system according to claim 7 wherein said means for selectively testing includes means for testing the bar code format and decoding bar codes.
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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) | 1990-06-22 | 1990-12-22 | 1991-06-23 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1994-06-22 | 1994-12-22 | 1995-06-23 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1998-06-22 | 1998-12-22 | 1999-06-23 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |