Patent US4680801A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4680801A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Sign verification
Assignee: De la Rue Holdings Ltd
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Filing: 1985-08-30
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Granted: 1987-07-14
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Expires: 2005-08-30
Abstract
Abstract A method of determining whether the writer of a sign is the same as the writer of a previously written sign at least one characteristic feature of which has been prerecorded comprises: (a) detecting at least one characteristic feature of the written sign; (b) comparing the or each detected feature with the corresponding prerecorded feature (s); (c) generating an acceptance signal if all differences between the detected and the prerecorded features lie within first predetermined limits; (d) if an acceptance signal cannot be generated, obtaining one or more further written signs (up to a predetermined maximum) and repeating steps (a) to (c) with the or each further written signs; (e) if an acceptance signal cannot be generated for the or any of the further written signs, comparing the differences between the characteristic features of each written sign and the corresponding characteristic of the prerecorded sign and, if all the differences fall within second predetermined limits; (f) comparing corresponding characteristic features of the written signs and generating an acceptance signal if all differences between the features lie within third predetermined limits.
Inventors
- 👤 Harry J. C. Etherington
- 👤 Paul C. Joslin
- 👤 Rowland A. G. Dunkley
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 03:59
CPC Classifications
G; G07; G07C; G07C9/00; G07C9/30; G07C9/32; G07C9/35
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 24
Claim 1
Independent Claim
226 words
A method of determining whether the writer of a contemporaneously written sign is the same as the writer of a previously written sign, at least one characteristic feature of said previously written sign having been prerecorded, the method comprising the steps of: (a) obtaining a contemporaneously written sign; (b) detecting at least one characteristic feature of said contemporaneously written sign; (c) comparing each detected feature of said contemporaneously written sign with a corresponding prerecorded feature of said previously written sign; (d) generating an acceptance signal if the differences between the detected and the prerecorded features lie within first predetermined limits; (e) if an acceptance signal cannot be generated, obtaining at least one further contemporaneously written sign and repeating steps (b) to (d) with respect to each further contemporaneously written sign; (f) if an acceptance signal cannot be generated for any of said at least one further contemporaneously written sign, comparing the differences between the characteristic features of each contemporaneously written sign and the corresponding characteristics of said previously written sign and, if all the differences fall within second predetermined limits; then (g) comparing characteristic features of each of said contemporaneously written sign with corresponding characteristic features of the remaining said contemporaneously written signs and generating an acceptance signal if the differences between said corresponding features of all said contemporaneously written signs lie within third predetermined limits.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
226 words
A method of determining whether the writer of a contemporaneously written sign is the same as the writer of a previously written sign, at least one characteristic feature of said previously written sign having been prerecorded, the method comprising the steps of: (a) obtaining a contemporaneously written sign; (b) detecting at least one characteristic feature of said contemporaneously written sign; (c) comparing each detected feature of said contemporaneously written sign with a corresponding prerecorded feature of said previously written sign; (d) generating an acceptance signal if the differences between the detected and the prerecorded features lie within first predetermined limits; (e) if an acceptance signal cannot be generated, obtaining at least one further contemporaneously written sign and repeating steps (b) to (d) with respect to each further contemporaneously written sign; (f) if an acceptance signal cannot be generated for any of said at least one further contemporaneously written sign, comparing the differences between the characteristic features of each contemporaneously written sign and the corresponding characteristics of said previously written sign and, if all the differences fall within second predetermined limits; then (g) comparing characteristic features of each of said contemporaneously written sign with corresponding characteristic features of the remaining said contemporaneously written signs and generating an acceptance signal if the differences between said corresponding features of all said contemporaneously written signs lie within third predetermined limits.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
19 words
A method according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined limits are defined by thresholds with which comparisons are made.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
19 words
A method according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined limits are defined by respective single thresholds representing upper limits.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
17 words
A method according to claim 1, wherein at least one characteristic feature is a spatial characteristic feature.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
18 words
A method according to claim 1, wherein said second predetermined limits are greater than said first predetermined limits.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
226 words
A method of determining whether the writer of a contemporaneously written sign is the same individual as the writer of a previously written sign, at least one characteristic feature of said previously written sign having been previously recorded, the method comprising the steps of: (a) obtaining a contemporaneously written sign; (b) comparing at least one characteristic feature of said contemporaneously written sign with a corresponding prerecorded feature of said previously written sign; (c) generating an acceptance signal if the differences between said characteristic features of said contemporaneously written sign and said previously written sign lie within first predetermined limits; (d) if an acceptance signal cannot be generated, obtaining at least one further contemporaneously written sign and repeating steps (b) and (c) with respect to each further contemporaneously written sign; (e) if an acceptance signal cannot be generated for any of said at least one further contemporaneously written sign, comparing the differences between the characteristic features of each contemporaneously written sign and the characteristic features of said previously written sign and, if all the differences fall within second predetermined limits; then (f) comparing characteristic features of each of said contemporaneously written signs with corresponding characteristic features of the remaining said contemporaneously written signs and generating an acceptance signal if the differences between said corresponding features of all of said contemporaneously written signs lie within third predetermined limits.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
226 words
A method of determining whether the writer of a contemporaneously written sign is the same individual as the writer of a previously written sign, at least one characteristic feature of said previously written sign having been previously recorded, the method comprising the steps of: (a) obtaining a contemporaneously written sign; (b) comparing at least one characteristic feature of said contemporaneously written sign with a corresponding prerecorded feature of said previously written sign; (c) generating an acceptance signal if the differences between said characteristic features of said contemporaneously written sign and said previously written sign lie within first predetermined limits; (d) if an acceptance signal cannot be generated, obtaining at least one further contemporaneously written sign and repeating steps (b) and (c) with respect to each further contemporaneously written sign; (e) if an acceptance signal cannot be generated for any of said at least one further contemporaneously written sign, comparing the differences between the characteristic features of each contemporaneously written sign and the characteristic features of said previously written sign and, if all the differences fall within second predetermined limits; then (f) comparing characteristic features of each of said contemporaneously written signs with corresponding characteristic features of the remaining said contemporaneously written signs and generating an acceptance signal if the differences between said corresponding features of all of said contemporaneously written signs lie within third predetermined limits.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
19 words
A method according to claim 6, wherein said predetermined limits are defined by thresholds with which comparisons are made.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
19 words
A method according to claim 6, wherein said predetermined limits are defined by respective single thresholds representing upper limits.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
18 words
A method according to claim 6, wherein said at least one characteristic feature is a spatial characteristic feature.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
18 words
A method according to claim 5, wherein said second predetermined limits are greater than said first predetermined limits.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
227 words
Apparatus to determine whether the writer of a contemporaneously written sign is the same individual as the writer of a previously written sign, at least one characteristic feature of said previously written sign having been previously recorded, said apparatus comprising: (a) verification means for obtaining a contemporaneously written sign; (1) detecting at least one characteristic feature of said contemporaneously written sign; (2) comparing each detected feature of said contemporaneously written sign with a corresponding prerecorded feature of said previously written sign; (3) generating an acceptance signal if the differences between the detected and the prerecorded features lie within first predetermined limits; (4) if an acceptance signal cannot be generated, obtaining at least one further contemporaneously written sign and repeating steps (1) to (3) with respect to each further contemporaneously written sign; (5) if an acceptance signal cannot be generated for any of said at least one further contemporaneously written sign, comparing the differences between the characteristic features of each contemporaneously written sign and the corresponding characteristics of said previously written sign and, if all the differences fall within second predetermined limits; then (6) comparing characteristic features of each of said contemporaneously written sign with corresponding characteristic features of the remaining said contemporaneously written signs and generating an acceptance signal if the differences between said corresponding features of all said contemporaneously written signs lie within third predetermined limits.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
227 words
Apparatus to determine whether the writer of a contemporaneously written sign is the same individual as the writer of a previously written sign, at least one characteristic feature of said previously written sign having been previously recorded, said apparatus comprising: (a) verification means for obtaining a contemporaneously written sign; (1) detecting at least one characteristic feature of said contemporaneously written sign; (2) comparing each detected feature of said contemporaneously written sign with a corresponding prerecorded feature of said previously written sign; (3) generating an acceptance signal if the differences between the detected and the prerecorded features lie within first predetermined limits; (4) if an acceptance signal cannot be generated, obtaining at least one further contemporaneously written sign and repeating steps (1) to (3) with respect to each further contemporaneously written sign; (5) if an acceptance signal cannot be generated for any of said at least one further contemporaneously written sign, comparing the differences between the characteristic features of each contemporaneously written sign and the corresponding characteristics of said previously written sign and, if all the differences fall within second predetermined limits; then (6) comparing characteristic features of each of said contemporaneously written sign with corresponding characteristic features of the remaining said contemporaneously written signs and generating an acceptance signal if the differences between said corresponding features of all said contemporaneously written signs lie within third predetermined limits.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
19 words
The apparatus according to claim 11, wherein said predetermined limits are defined by respective single thresholds representing upper limits.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
17 words
Apparatus according to claim 11, wherein said at least one characteristic feature is a spatial characteristic feature.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
17 words
Apparatus according to claim 11, wherein said second predetermined limits are greater than said first predetermined limits.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
19 words
The apparatus according to claim 11, wherein said predetermined limits are defined by thresholds with which comparisons are made.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
227 words
Apparatus for determining whether the writer of a contemporaneously written sign is the same individual as the writer of a previously written sign, at least one characteristic of said previously written sign having been previously recorded, said apparatus comprising: (a) means for obtaining a contemporaneously written sign; (b) verification means for: (1) comparing at least one characteristic feature of said contemporaneously written sign with a corresponding prerecorded feature of said previously written sign; (2) generating an acceptance signal if the differences between said characteristic features of said contemporaneously written sign and said previously written sign lie within first predetermined limits; (3) if an acceptance signal cannot be generated, obtaining at least one further contemporaneously written sign and repeating steps (1) and (2) with respect to each further contemporaneously written sign; (4) if an acceptance signal cannot be generated for any of said at least one further contemporaneously written sign, comparing the differences between the characteristic features of each contemporaneously written sign and the characteristic features of said previously written sign and, if all the differences fall within second predetermined limits; then (5) comparing characteristic features of each of said contemporaneously written signs with corresponding characteristic features of the remaining said contemporaneously written signs and generating an acceptance signal if the differences between said corresponding features of all of said contemporaneously written signs lie within third predetermined limits.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
227 words
Apparatus for determining whether the writer of a contemporaneously written sign is the same individual as the writer of a previously written sign, at least one characteristic of said previously written sign having been previously recorded, said apparatus comprising: (a) means for obtaining a contemporaneously written sign; (b) verification means for: (1) comparing at least one characteristic feature of said contemporaneously written sign with a corresponding prerecorded feature of said previously written sign; (2) generating an acceptance signal if the differences between said characteristic features of said contemporaneously written sign and said previously written sign lie within first predetermined limits; (3) if an acceptance signal cannot be generated, obtaining at least one further contemporaneously written sign and repeating steps (1) and (2) with respect to each further contemporaneously written sign; (4) if an acceptance signal cannot be generated for any of said at least one further contemporaneously written sign, comparing the differences between the characteristic features of each contemporaneously written sign and the characteristic features of said previously written sign and, if all the differences fall within second predetermined limits; then (5) comparing characteristic features of each of said contemporaneously written signs with corresponding characteristic features of the remaining said contemporaneously written signs and generating an acceptance signal if the differences between said corresponding features of all of said contemporaneously written signs lie within third predetermined limits.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
18 words
Apparatus according to claim 16, wherein said predetermined limits are defined by thresholds with which comparisons are made.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
18 words
Apparatus according to claim 16, wherein said predetermined limits are defined by respective single thresholds representing upper limits.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
17 words
Apparatus according to claim 6, wherein said at least one characteristic feature is a spatial characteristic feature.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
17 words
Apparatus according to claim 16, wherein said second predetermined limits are greater than said first predetermined limits.
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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) | 1990-07-13 | 1991-01-12 | 1991-07-14 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1994-07-13 | 1995-01-12 | 1995-07-14 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1998-07-13 | 1999-01-12 | 1999-07-14 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |